Men urged to get health fears checked out fast

A BLACK Isle man told this week how he felt like a "fraud" when sent for a scan – only to discover a week later he had cancer.

Colin Thomson (61) is now urging other men that checking out health gripes early could save their lives.

The Fortrose-based survivor is among a group sharing their stories to encourage others to have symptoms checked.

Mr Thomson, who was diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer, is now back to full health after undergoing surgery.

He said: "I put my frequency of peeing down to the cold weather and getting older. When I talked to my GP, he gave me a blood test and then I was sent for a biopsy. A week later I was told I had prostate cancer. When I was sent for an MRI I felt like a bit of a fraud, as other than going to the toilet a lot, I felt completely fine.

"The tumour was bigger than they had initially thought, so I’m so glad I went to the doctors when I did. I hate to think what would have happened if I’d left it any longer.

"We welcomed our granddaughter Harriet two-and-a-half years ago, and my two sons have started their own business which is doing incredibly well. I’m immensely proud of them and very lucky to be here to see it all happening."

He added: "A lot of people, especially men, can be reluctant to go to their doctor when they’re worried about their health. That needs to change. If you’re worried, get it checked out. Chances are it could be nothing, but it’s better to know. I’m testament to how important it is to get these things checked out."

For further information visit getcheckedearly.org