BBC journalist Jeremy Bowen has revealed he is suffering from bowel cancer.
Mr Bowen, the broadcaster’s Middle East Editor, spoke frankly about his diagnosis on BBC Breakfast on Monday morning.
It is the first time the journalist has spoken publicly about his illness.
He explained he first began to feel “funny pains” in his legs and back in Iraq last May, but at first was not too worried.
He said: “When I came back [from Iraq], I had to go to hospital for a couple of days but they did not mention cancer.
“They said it was to do with scar tissue that I had from a previous surgery. But anyway, I thought I should get a test, so I went to my GP, and I’d had none of the classic bowel cancer symptoms.”
He said despite not having any obvious symptoms, he was still tested.
The test, he revealed, came back positive and following a colonoscopy doctors were able to determine he had a tumour.
He said: “I had surgery, got taken away and now I’m having chemotherapy.”
After his announcement, Mr Bowen was sent messages of support, with other cancer survivors saying they did not have any symptoms in a similar way to the newsreader.
Carol Torode wrote on Twitter: “I was diagnosed in May. No symptoms just life long constipation. Negative Bowel cancer screening test in January.
“After perseverance I was sent for a colonoscopy which discovered a tumour which was successfully removed. If you think something’s not right please persevere.”
While another wrote: “Such an inspirational man, thank you for being so candid”.
