A FORMER church rector has been given a second chance at life following life-saving surgery and treatment at Basingstoke Hospital.

Michael Kenning had endured a challenging year battling bowel cancer, but is now on the road to recovery after undergoing the surgery performed by consultant surgeon Mr Sanjeev Dayal.

The former rector of four churches around Basingstoke was so delighted with the procedure he now has a new zest for life.

The 70-year-old said: When you’re told you have cancer it’s scary.

“But after surgery you feel you have been given a second chance at life.”

Although he suffered with bouts of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in the past, he was unaware of any symptoms that could suggest bowel cancer.

He was also reassured by the all-clear he received after completing a faecal home testing kit every two years from the age of 60.

But in late 2015, Michael noticed a change in his bowel habits and when it got to the stage that that he could not travel far from a toilet, he sought advice from his doctor.

He completed another test – and this time, within 48 hours, he was referred to Basingstoke Hospital under the Hampshire Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.

He added: “Thank goodness I carried out the test – they are life-saving and anybody who receives one through the post and throws them away is very foolish.

“Don’t let the absence of symptoms such as pain, exhaustion, poor appetite and weight loss mislead you into believing there’s nothing seriously wrong.”

A CT scan revealed a growth on his colon and Mr Kenning was booked in for surgery to remove this, after a further MRI scan checked for secondary liver cancer which fortunately was not found.

Fitted with a stoma, Mr Kenning was pleased to be given his own room on the hospital recovery ward for five weeks.

He added: “The bowel cancer nurses were extremely vigilant and on hand to help me, especially when times got tough.

“I can honestly say that I wasn’t anxious or upset at any time throughout my hospital care, I felt so supported by the staff and visitors, even the anaesthetist called in to check on my progress.”

Back at home in Kempshott, the care continued with regular visits from the nurses to change his dressings and give him support, with regular check-ups at the hospital.

He added: “I’m a member of the Tadley Singers, their piano accompanist, and there were times when I wondered if I’d ever go back – but I did. So imagine my surprise when I saw my night nurse at a concert with her two children earlier this year.

“She said: ’It’s great to see you looking so well’ – and I couldn’t agree more.”

The screening programme which alerted Mr Kenning was made available by the charity Pelican Cancer Foundation, which supports research and education to improve treatment for cancers.

The foundation urges anybody with blood in their stool or bleeding from their bottom, a change in bowel habits, weight loss, extreme tiredness or tummy pain to seek medical advice from their GP as soon as possible.

Pelican chief executive Sarah Crane said: “Don’t be embarrassed and don’t ignore symptoms, doctors are used to seeing people with bowel problems – and it could save your life.”