A dad-of-three has been told he has two years to live after his cancer went undetected during the coronavirus lockdown.
Ben Bradbeer, 38, had to wait more than three months for a scan that revealed he had advanced bowel cancer due to the suspension of many NHS services.
He said the cancer was initially missed by his GP during an appointment in February.
Ben had gone to his doctor’s surgery complaining of pain and bowel changes, but was diagnosed with an infection and given antibiotics.
When he returned two months later with rectal bleeding he was given more antibiotics and told he could not be referred to a hospital specialist due to Covid-19 restrictions.
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He was only diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer after making his own way to A&E at Poole Hospital, where he was admitted and underwent tests.
Ben, from Poole, Dorset, has since been told his cancer is terminal.
‘They said they were unable to get me into hospital as they were not taking appointments because of Covid-19,’ he said.
‘I then started bleeding. This was three or four months after my initial appointment.
‘I am normally quite fit and healthy so at this point I was getting really worried.
‘I didn’t have a decent night’s sleep for months because of the constant pain.
‘But I was told, “We can’t get you a referral to see a urologist because of Covid.”
‘Then in mid-May I went to A&E. My symptoms were clearly serious, and I should have been investigated properly a lot sooner.’
Health charities have warned that a growing number of similar cases are emerging, in which patients are at risk from life-threatening illnesses because tests or surgery have been delayed.
Ben had an operation last week to fit a colostomy bag and he is due to start three months of chemotherapy treatment in a few weeks.
He said one of the hardest conversations he has had to have was telling his children – sons Jayden, 18, and Shay, 13, and stepdaughter Skye, 16 – that he has cancer.
He also hit out at his GP for misdiagnosing his condition.
He added: ‘The kids are all very upset, naturally. I’ve got to fight this, I have too much to lose.
‘The hospital were brilliant as they were the ones that found it but my GP was the one who missed it. It is the way they went about it that has annoyed me.
‘I have got a lot of support from family and friends and I’m not going to let it get me down.’
His friend Robert Cleall has set up a GoFundMe appeal to support Ben and his family financially and help him to live a fulfilling life.
So far, the fundraising appeal has raised nearly £8,000.
Ben said he is trying to remain upbeat and make the most of the time he has left.
He is also planning to marry his partner Emma in the next year.
He said: ‘I am trying to look at the positives and hope that as a family we can carry on how we are at the moment.
‘I want to take the kids on holiday, and I want to get married to my partner Emma in the next year or so.
‘I just want to do things to make it the best time possible.
‘I just want to thank all my family and friends for helping me through what is a horrible time for me and my family.’
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