'I'm the luckiest man alive after life-saving cancer surgery - twice'
Published 23 March 2023
A senior councillor battling cancer for the second time says he feels like the luckiest man in the world to be alive to tell his story
Andrew Cook, who represents Heron ward in Herne Bay on Canterbury City Council, celebrated his 68th birthday this week, and admits at one point he wasn’t sure he would make it
The dad of three had life-saving surgery at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate for rectal cancer, six years after beating prostate cancer. He is now urging anyone with concerning symptoms to speak to their GP and to seek treatment, rather than hoping the problem will go away
He said: “After the way I was looked after I think I am the luckiest man in the world
“I am so grateful to the surgeon Aftab Khan and his team, and everyone on the ward who cared for me and made sure I lived to tell the tale
“I think men can be really bad at sticking their heads in the sand and ignoring things, but the earlier something is found, the more chance you have of successful treatment.”
Andrew, who is a member of the city council’s cabinet, and also a volunteer with Herne Bay Pier Trust, first spotted blood after going to the toilet back in 2021. But stool samples and a blood test came back clear
He said: “It’s easy for things to be brushed to one side and at first no one thought it was anything serious
“But my sister had been diagnosed with colon cancer and I wasn’t convinced so I went back to the GP and when she exhausted all the options available she referred me to the hospital
“They were able to use a camera to investigate and that’s when they found the cancer.”
After three months of chemotherapy treatment, and a course of radiotherapy, Andrew had surgery in February to remove the tumour and fit a temporary stoma bag while the area healed
But a blockage caused complications and the medical team needed to reverse the procedure
Andrew said: “I was going downhill fast and hadn’t eaten for 10 days and everyone was getting pretty worried
“They told me the operation to reverse the stoma so soon after the initial procedure had only been done once before at the hospital but there wasn’t really another choice
“I did think about dying and it gave me the chance to reflect on what’s really important, which is my family.”
Andrew spent a further 10 days on Bishopstone ward recuperating before being discharged home to his wife Alison
He said: “Watching the way the hospital works made me realise the staff are miracle workers
“They are so caring and dedicated, and work fantastically hard to get everyone better and back on their feet
“I feel so lucky to be in the position I am and to have been able to have this life-saving surgery. Everything happened lightning fast once they discovered the cancer
“I am waiting to hear what’s next in terms of treatment but so grateful to the NHS for getting me this far
“Now I just want other people to pay attention to their own bodies and to get checked, especially if they have a family history of cancer.”