AN Aberdaron man has shared his experience of surviving cancer, to raise awareness of early diagnosis.

Throat cancer survivor Paul Evans is supporting the campaign as he knows how important early diagnosis can be.

Diagnosed with cancer in 2018, Paul admits he would have “waited for his symptoms to go away on their own” if it wasn’t for spotting a TV ad and his family telling him to see a GP.

Aged 49 at the time, Paul’s symptoms started as a persistent cough which he thought was a common cold.

The former special constable for North Wales Police, said: “A cold had been going around the village, so I thought my cough was as a result of that. A few weeks went by and it still hadn’t cleared, and that’s when I happened to see a TV advert about a persistent cough which motivated me to see my GP.”

Paul, now 52, was prescribed antibiotics for a suspected infection and was told to make another appointment if his cough hadn’t cleared.

Shortly afterwards, he and his partner, Derwyn, visited family in Bristol and that’s when more symptoms appeared.

“My partner noticed a golf ball sized lump in my neck,” said Paul.

“I also woke up having a coughing fit like I’d never experienced, and I must admit, I was starting to feel a bit concerned.”

After seeing his GP, Paul was immediately referred for further tests at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.

A PET scan at Ysbyty Wrexham Maelor revealed a tumour the size of an orange in his neck and a biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of cancer in his throat and tongue.

Paul said: “When I saw a nurse come into the room before the consultant spoke, I knew something wasn’t right – and then when I was told it was cancer, it felt like a film. I heard talking but it was like everything had stopped and I was outside the room, looking in, it didn’t feel real. It was also really hard telling my mother as my father sadly died of cancer and my uncle also had cancer.”

Paul had surgery to remove the cancerous tumours in his tonsils before having an intensive course of radiotherapy at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd as well as a chemotherapy.

He lost six stone in weight and had to learn to swallow again following treatment. But he is now cancer free, and thanks being diagnosed early for saving his life.

He said: “It hasn’t been easy but I’m so grateful for the treatment I received and that I’m still here.”

Don’t Ignore It posters will appear in Cancer Research UK shops across Wales and the campaign will also feature on social media and in Welsh newspapers.

Every year, around 19,300 people in Wales are given the devastating news that they have cancer.

Paul hopes his story will encourage people to seek advice if they have any worrying symptoms.

He said: “I was definitely the type of person that didn’t like to make a fuss and I used to think my symptoms would just clear up on their own. Who knows what could have happened if I hadn’t seen my GP? I feel extremely fortunate my cancer was caught early.

“That’s why I’m backing Cancer Research UK’s Don’t Ignore It campaign. If you’re worried at all, just contact your GP – it could save your life.”

Cancer Research UK’s work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has been at the heart of progress that has seen survival in the UK double in the last 40 years.

If you have noticed a change in your body that’s not normal for you, contact your GP.

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “During the first wave of the pandemic many people in Wales didn’t seek help because they didn’t want to add to NHS workload and were worried about wasting their doctor’s time, but it’s important people don’t delay contacting their GP as finding cancer early can make all the difference.

“We have heard reports of people struggling to get through to their GP practice to secure an appointment which can be frustrating, but please do keep trying.”

Visit cruk.org/SpotCancerEarly.