'Get it checked' says bowel cancer survivor

James Carroll did not realise anything was wrong with him until he had a blood test as part of fertility treatment

A man who was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 32 is urging other people to get themselves checked.

James Carroll spoke to BBC Radio Bristol as part of Joe Sims' Wake Up Call series of broadcasts highlighting the impact of various serious health conditions including heart disease, breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Mr Carroll, who is originally from Headley Park, Bristol, was diagnosed after having a blood test as part of fertility treatment and so credits his now four-year-old daughter with saving his life.

Earlier this year the NHS expanded its bowel cancer screening programme to those aged 50 and above.

James said people should use the NHS poo tests to get checked

When Mr Carroll was diagnosed in 2018, he had no idea he was suffering with a serious illness.

He said: "Looking back now I did have symptoms.

"I had an ache ... but at the time I just didn't clock it."

Mr Carroll added it was not the first time he had faced sickness problems, which meant he dismissed his current symptoms at first.

"As a kid they thought I had asthma," he said.

"I used to play a lot of football as a kid and I used to struggle breathing.

"I think, with the tumour it's quite slow growing in the bowel, so I just put it down to having asthma."

As of January 2025, anyone between the ages of 50 and 74 is automatically sent a home testing kit for bowel cancer every two years.

The faecal immunochemical test, also known as the poo test, checks for blood in a small stool sample which is a common sign of cancer.

"You've got to do it [the poo test]," Mr Carroll said.

"If there's any issues at all just go to your doctor, just get it checked out.

"Just do it. Don't delay it."