Brian Mitcherson's story

A men's health check up won't kill you - but it could save your life! Cancer survivor Brian Mitcherson has advice for all Kiwi men.

If there's something wrong you should definitely get it checked - it could save your life!

"Men are much less inclined to see their doctor for what they may see as minor ailments, but it's really important to catch things early, because then you improve your chances. That's especially true with cancer!"

Brian is a retired hospital laboratory technologist with three children and three grandchildren. He was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2005.

"I was seeing my doctor every few months for regular check ups and I had just made another appointment when I had a massive bleed."  Brian's wife, Audrey, rushed him to hospital where they stemmed the bleeding and started investigations.

"I had a colonoscopy and the doctors discovered cancer in the rectal area. It had damaged a minor blood vessel.

"As part of his treatment, Brian received radiation treatment and chemotherapy at Palmerston North hospital for six weeks.

"To be honest, the chemotherapy wasn't too gruelling," Brian says. "Some people may have found it a little unpleasant, but it's really no worse than having a blood sample taken.  

"They just inserted a drip in a vein under my collarbone and the chemo was pumped into me automatically, seven days a week for six weeks."  Following treatment, Brian travelled to Wellington where a specialist surgeon removed the cancer and part of the rectal area.  

"In October 2007 I had a new colonoscopy and they found no further indication of cancer.  

"I have blood tests every six months now and the medics won't give me the 'all clear' for another two years, but I'm not worried.

 "I feel pretty good now and I'm able to lead a normal life."  Brian says he was lucky that his cancer was caught early and he urges all men to be vigilant about their health.  

"With cancer, like any health ailment, the sooner it's dealt with the better. If you catch it early you can stop it spreading to the other organs and other parts of the body."

Brian is telling his story as part of Age Concern New Zealand's national campaign to encourage older men to be more health focused, as part of the annual Men's Health Week.  

"If you think there's something wrong, even something minor, go and get it checked. It could turn out to be nothing - or it could save your life!"  

 Brian and Audrey Mitcherson