Big interview: Kildare man discusses cancer diagnosis for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month 2024

A man from North Kildare recently sat down with the Leinster Leader to discuss his diagnosis of colon cancer, to mark Bowel Cancer Awareness Month 2024.

48-year-old Brendan Muldoon, who hails from Leixlip, gave a brief summary of his cancer journey: "I was first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2011 and had most of my colon removed. It went to stage 3 in 2014, and I had lymph nodes removed from the back of my liver. It then went to stage 4 in 2017.

"I had a liver resection in 2018 and a double liver resection in 2019, and in 2020, five tumours showed in my liver and I was told they were inoperable. I started on immunotherapy in 2020 and have been on it ever since."

He added that he has a hereditary gene condition called Lynch Syndrome, which leaves him at a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer, but colon cancer is the highest risk - 80 per cent higher that the average person.

Brendan also explained how he felt when he initially received the news of his diagnosis: "I just couldn't believe it; I was only 35, I was fit, I had no symptoms and thought I was too young to get cancer."

"My family and friends' reaction was the same as mine, but they were very supportive," he added.

Brendan

Fortunately, Brendan is now in remission.

"The feeling I have about being a remission now is just priceless," he said.

"Four years ago, I thought I'd never see this day, and I don't think the oncology team did either... They were saying two years of treatment and we'll see how things are then, but I never gave up hope.

"I just kept on fighting and living my life the best way I could."

"Now, here I am, 10 months in remission and I've to stay on treatment for life, but I'm living a good quality of life thanks to immunotherapy."

When asked about how he feels about genetic testing, and whether or not he thinks he would have been a good candidate, Brendan replied: "Looking at things now, I think I would be good candidate for genetic testing, and the reason why is because the age I was first diagnosed at.

"Colon cancer is normally found in people over 60 years old, but more and more people under the age of 60 are being diagnosed with it.

"I think the age for screening for colon cancer should be lowered, as early detection is vital for survival and I think if the age limit is reduced it could save thousands of lives every year."

He continued: "I think genetic tests should be open to everyone who has a history of cancer in their family, but even beyond that.

"Cancer hits everyone and effects everyone in one way or another at some stage of their life, so I think screening should be open to everyone and not just people who have history of cancer in their family.

"As I said early detection is the key to surviving."

LIVING LIFE

Brendan told the Leader that he lives an active lifestyle.

"I like to walk and walk up to 10 kilometers most days. The only downside to having cancer is I'm only allowed to work 20 hours a week, and trying to get a job that allows me to work around hospital appointments is just impossible, so unfortunately I have to stay on disability, which is very tough mentally and financially."

When asked what he would say to anyone who suspects they may have colon cancer symptoms, he stressed: "Anyone looking to be tested for colon cancer and is too embarrassed about getting tested for it, I would say don't be.

"The people you're going to see are professionals; it's their job and deal with people coming in every day of the week it's their job there's no need to be embarrassed. If you have cancer it doesn't go away on its own, go and get tested, because these people are there to help and the longer you leave it the worse it gets.

"Getting that early detection will be the key to you surviving," he added.

He also offered the following words of advice: "My words to anyone, going through cancer or not, would be to live your life. Never put something off as your life can change in the blink of an eye; no one knows what the next hour has in store for us, never mind tomorrow!"

As part of it's awareness campaign, The Marie Keating Foundation said; "The national early detection cancer charity is marking Bowel Cancer Awareness Month this April by broadening the scope of its #NoRegrets campaign, to appeal to the government to take immediate action and reduce the screening age, as well as continuing to raise public awareness about the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer."

The Foundation added: "In Ireland, over 2,500 people each year develop bowel (colorectal) cancer.  Of these people, 60 per cent are diagnosed at late stage.

"Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in Ireland, giving rise to more than 1,000 deaths per year."

A video giving an overview of this year’s campaign can be viewed below.