Welsh Farming Contractor Shares Cancer Diagnosis and Urges Farming Community to #NIPITINTHEBUD

A Welsh farming contractor has shared his cancer diagnosis with the wider farming community - as a plea for others to get themselves checked as soon as possible should they notice a change in their health.

In a video recorded on the land when he was working, John Saunders Davies, 54, who lives in Denbighshire, has discussed his bowel cancer diagnosis from one and a half years ago.

John is currently undergoing treatment including chemotherapy.

John’s story has been shared the same week as a reception event at Buckingham Palace recognising community-based cancer support organisations. Representatives of FCN attended this event, highlighting the unique challenges people in farming and rural communities can face when accessing cancer support services.

John has shared his story as part of The Farming Community Network’s #NipItInTheBud campaign with Macmillan Cancer Support – helping to improve awareness of the risks, signs and symptoms of cancer in farming and rural communities and encourage early detection.

John said: “I wasn’t feeling too well. I felt a bit down. I was going to the toilet more often, and felt that things were pulling on the stomach”.

“Like many men and people from the countryside, it’s in our nature to be a little hard-headed. After about six months my partner decided to take me to the doctor for an examination. After doing a stool test, the doctor came back on the phone and told me that there was quite a bit of blood in the stools. I then got an appointment to go to Glan Clwyd Hospital to see an oncologist, who did a few further tests. They discovered a tumour in my intestine and I was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

“It is important that we as men, as farmers, look after our own health - that your families, especially your children, know that there is a future for you if you are treated early enough.”

FCN can be contacted in confidence on 03000 111 999 or help@fcn.org.uk. FCN volunteers understand farming life and its unique pressures and are here to listen, to support and to connect you with other help available.

Find out more about FCN’s partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support here: https://fcn.org.uk/cancersupport/