Cancer Survivor Bodybuilder Promotes Lower Screening Age for Bowel Cancer
Bodybuilder Advocates for Earlier Bowel Cancer Screenings
Mat Dean, a 39-year-old bodybuilder from Bridgend, Wales, is using his personal experience to advocate for earlier bowel cancer screenings. Diagnosed with the disease in his 30s, Mat's case highlights the rising incidence of bowel cancer in younger populations and the need for earlier screenings to catch cancers sooner.
In early 2023, Mat underwent surgeries that resulted in the use of two stoma bags for his bowel and bladder. The cancer had already spread to his bladder and liver, requiring multiple surgeries. Mat's symptoms, including severe abdominal pain and blood in his stool, had persisted and worsened over time.
Mat's diagnosis came at a time when his partner Holly was caring for their infant daughter. Upon receiving the news, Mat faced an emotional upheaval. However, he has since developed a positive outlook and is committed to raising awareness about bowel cancer.
Mat's personal experience underscores the trend of increasing bowel cancer cases among younger patients. Medical professionals, including Mat's surgeon Martyn Evans, have noticed this phenomenon. Evans finds it concerning and describes it as a phenomenon that is not well-understood.
In 2021, 241 individuals under the age of 54 were diagnosed with bowel cancer in Wales. Mat's case is not an isolated incident, and experts and advocates like Mat are calling for lowering the screening age to better reflect changing cancer demographics.
Mat believes that starting screenings earlier could catch cancers sooner, improving survival rates and reducing the need for multiple surgeries. He emphasizes the importance of early detection in dealing with bowel cancer.
Mat's advocacy has had a significant impact. He has raised public and medical community awareness about the limitations of current screening age thresholds. He supports campaigns and organizations focused on men's health and cancer awareness, such as "Man Up to Cancer," which promotes colorectal cancer screening in younger men.
Mat is now cancer-free and has plans to marry Holly in 2027. Despite the physical and emotional struggles he faced during his recovery, Mat remains determined to use his experience to make a difference in the lives of others.
In summary, Mat Dean's advocacy spotlights a critical public health issue: the need for earlier bowel cancer screening to address rising cases in younger adults and save lives through timely diagnosis and treatment.
Mat's advocacy for earlier bowel cancer screenings could lead to improvements in health-and-wellness, particularly for younger individuals, as it could catch cancers sooner, reducing the need for multiple surgeries and improving survival rates. Mat's personal growth and resilience, following his battle with cancer, have led him to prioritize mental-health, as he emphasizes the importance of early detection in dealing with bowel cancer. Mat also values education-and-self-development and actively supports campaigns and organizations, like "Man Up to Cancer," that promote fitness-and-exercise, men's health, and cancer awareness in order to foster a holistic approach to health-and-wellness.
