Man died after ignoring back pain that was bowel cancer
AWELL-LOVED big brother died after ignoring back pain which turned out to be terminal cancer.
Han Fisher “undoubtedly” left his cancer for too long after downplaying crucial signs which also included blood in his stool and exhaustion.
But alarm bells started to ring for the 41-year-old, from the East End of Glasgow, after he started to suffer “excruciating pains” when eating.
It was then medical tests revealed an aggressive tumour on his colon which sadly could not be cured.
He passed away a short 48 weeks later, aged 42, in November 2020 leaving his family and friends devastated.
Now his devastated sister, who has spoken to the Glasgow Times previously about her heartbreak, is determined to stop others from suffering the same fate.
Jen Docherty is determined to raise awareness by urging people to talk about their ‘poo and private parts’ as every 15 minutes somebody is diagnosed with the condition.
The 42-year-old is now raising awareness for Bowel Cancer Awareness month.
Jen told the Glasgow Times: “I love my brother very much and I miss him a lot. I think about him everyday.
“I think it is detrimental to say cancer is caused by lifestyle or anyone’s fault, I would never want to blame my brother or any other victim of the illness.
“But my brother had a really sore back for years which he put down to other things, so we have no idea how long the cancer was growing in there.
“Han undoubtedly put it off and left it too late to get his cancer diagnosed. “It was heartbreaking when we finally got the news and then realised the treatment wasn’t working because by then it was too aggressive. “He was tired and did such a good job fighting, but the cancer won in the end. He was much more than a cancer patient, he had a thirst for knowledge he liked exploring and adventures.”
Han was diagnosed on World Cancer Day in February 2020, just before lockdown.
His family believe he had started to show symptoms at least 12 months before the cancer was detected in his body.
“Nearly everyone” survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage, according to Bowel Cancer UK, but if left untreated it can become extremely aggressive and fatal.
It comes as the condition affects the large bowel as cells change and can grow in an uncontrolled way.
Symptoms can include bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your stool, a persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit, unexplained weight loss, extreme tiredness for no obvious reason, and a pain or lump in your tummy.
Jen thinks younger patients may be too embarrassed to open up about their “poo and private parts” which could cost lives.
She said: “Han had some bleeding from his bum and exhaustion, and I think like most young people was a bit embarrassed to talk about it.
“If you are feeling any of these symptoms or like your body isn’t working the way it should, you must speak to a doctor. Your life is worth that embarrassing moment and getting it looked at.
“Our bodies are the same as everyone else’s but we are so scared to talk about poo and private parts, so we don’t know what is normal.”
Jen is now making “ridiculous” and funny cards to help kickstart awkward conversations to keep Han’s memory alive.