“It didn’t cross my mind it could be bowel cancer”

A Walsall father who ignored his bowel cancer symptoms is urging others to get clued up on the signs and symptoms of the disease.

Shafqat Khan, a dad of four, thought little of the changes to his bathroom routine and increased abdominal pain, dismissing his symptoms as simple constipation.

Two days after his 50^th birthday, however, Shafqat received a routine bowel cancer screening kit through the post and completed the faecal immunochemical test (FIT), which found high levels of blood in his stool sample.

Shafqat was referred to New Cross Hospital to have a colonoscopy (a test to check inside the bowel) and was told he had bowel cancer – just days before Christmas last year.

Shafqat said: “I never thought it would happen to me. Even when I was sent in for further testing, I was in denial that my symptoms could be anything other than constipation.

“I’d mentioned putting my appointment on hold as I was nervous to have the colonoscopy, but the Consultant persuaded me to keep my consultation. That decision ultimately saved my life.

“I thought the procedure would be uncomfortable, but all the staff were so empathetic and lovely. They see this every day and they did everything to put me at ease. I will remember them for the rest of my life.”

Following a CT scan at Cannock Chase Hospital, it was confirmed that, thankfully, Shafqat’s cancer had not spread.

In March 2025, he underwent successful surgery at Walsall Manor Hospital to remove part of his bowel.

As the cancer was discovered in the early stages, Shafqat managed to avoid radiotherapy and chemotherapy and didn’t need a colostomy bag. He will remain under surveillance following his surgery.

Shafqat is now passionate about raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, encouraging people to speak to their GP if something doesn’t feel right.

He added: “My brother sadly lost his life to bowel cancer when he was 39 and we were asked to undergo screening because of this. As a family, we’d avoided doing this out of fear.

“I’d read that blood in the stool was a key symptom but because I couldn’t see any bright-red blood present, I thought that everything was okay. I didn’t realise that a dark stool could indicate bleeding. If I’d have known this, I probably would’ve taken my symptoms more seriously.

“I’m still under active surveillance for other issues but I feel so relieved. I hope my story encourages people to not put off screening and to learn more about the warning signs”.

Possible signs of bowel cancer can include:

• A change in your normal bowel habit – such as needing to go for a poo more often, or feeling like you haven’t emptied your bowels properly
• Bleeding from your bottom or blood in your poo
• Losing weight when you haven’t been trying to
• A pain or lump in your tummy.
• Feeling more tired than usual
• Feeling breathless.

Screening does not stop you getting bowel cancer, but it can help spot the disease in its earliest stage when it’s easier to treat. Research shows that more than nine in 10 people survive bowel cancer when it’s diagnosed at the earliest stage.

Find out more about screening: Bowel cancer screening – NHS.