Tom McHugh's Bowel Cancer Story

Shortly after she turned 60, Tom McHugh’s wife Noeleen received her BowelScreen test in the post. “I’m a year older than Noeleen and this thankfully reminded me that I hadn’t got one. I phoned the National Screening Programme, they sent me a home-test kit, I done it and sent it back. I thought no more of it and then I got a phone call to come in for further tests. I went to the Mater for a colonoscopy and they seemed to be able to tell more or less straight away that I had cancer. I didn’t know it, but they had phoned my wife to come in to be with me when I got the news. I then had further tests and scans to confirm my diagnosis.”

Receiving his diagnosis was a total shock for Tom. “When they were looking at my initial colonoscopy scan results, I could hear them refer to ‘abnormal cells’ so I felt some bad news was coming but I still couldn’t believe it when I was told I had cancer. At the same time, I was also so grateful and relieved to have done the BowelScreen test and get it detected so early.”

Once his diagnosis was confirmed, Tom explains there was a slight delay while his treatment plan was finalised. “They told me in all likelihood I’d need surgery and preventative chemotherapy. But they took their time to carry out more tests and find out exactly where the cancer was before confirming my treatment plan. I understand and appreciate of course why this is necessary, but the delay is hard to take when you have been given your news. You’re itching to get on with your treatment as soon as possible. I must say though, the medical team really did put me at ease. Even though it was cancer and I knew it was serious, I think because they seemed calm I was calm.”

For his treatment, Tom was told he would begin with chemoradiotherapy, chemotherapy and then surgery. “This was more prolonged than I had originally thought and the order of the treatment kind of threw me as well. I was all geared up for surgery first and then I’m told that’s coming last. I think that is something that I would really encourage anyone reading who is about to go through cancer to bear in mind; there will always be twists and turns and you need to trust and listen to your medical team to guide you through that. I began with a month of chemoradiotherapy and then after three weeks of recovery, it was eight sessions of chemotherapy beginning in September 2023 running through to January 2024. The treatment was challenging but I have to say, I thankfully didn’t find it that grueling and again, the medical team were brilliant providing me with medication to manage different side effects. I talked to my wife about minding my mental health going through all of this and I considered counselling but ultimately, I decided to leave the counselling option there in case I had a particularly bad slump or down period, and thankfully that didn’t come. I got through my treatment with the brilliant support of my wife, my children and extended family.”

Following the chemotherapy and recovery, by March Tom was back in for more tests. “I had an MRI, CT and colonoscopy and thankfully, my body had responded well to treatment and I wouldn’t require surgery. Again, this was a huge but welcome shock. I had psychologically prepared for surgery and when it wasn’t necessary, this was great news to get.”

Since his cancer experience, Tom has signed up to become a volunteer driver with the Irish Cancer Society’s Transport Service. “For me, I was very fortunate to be able to get to most of my appointments on my bike. And then when the medical team advised me I’d be too weak to cycle, I got public transport. Those were options available to me because of where I live and how close I live to the hospital, but for so many people those options aren’t there. I’m very familiar with the Irish Cancer Society and the work they do, my older brother has been a volunteer driver for a while and it was something I wanted to do in retirement and my own cancer experience finally gave me that push to do it.”

Tom is sharing his story to raise two issues. “Well first, I think it is just so important that people make sure they are signed up for the BowelScreen programme. For some reason I wasn’t and as soon as I realised, I contacted them and there you go, contacting them, asking for the test, doing the test – it probably saved my life or at the very least, it made my cancer journey a bit more straightforward. I would really just encourage people in the age bracket to make sure you are signed up and if you are, please do the test. It’s so simple and it could catch your cancer early. 

“The second point I want to raise is that cancer, of course it is scary and you have your bad times, but for me at least, it wasn’t the way it is depicted on the television or in films. I would just say everyone’s cancer experience is different, the treatment nowadays is so patient-specific and personalised to you. My treatment, thankfully, was straightforward and I had great support and guidance on the side effects and medication to help me through it all. I was lucky to have my sister who is an oncology nurse and she had ovarian cancer 18 months before I received my diagnosis. She and my whole family were an incredible support. If just one person reads my story and checks they are signed up for BowelScreen or does their test, that will be worth me sharing my experience.”