BEATING cancer once is life-changing, but after beating it twice, a Kidderminster man is now 'willing' people to give to Cancer Research UK after drug trails saved his life.

Alan Sugden said he is alive today because he benefitted from research after being successfully treated for bowel cancer and then prostate cancer in the last six years.

Now, the 67-year-old is urging people to leave a lasting gift for future generations by including a donation to Cancer Research UK in their wills so the charity can continue their life-saving work.

"Being diagnosed with cancer turned my life upside down," Mr Sugden said.

"It was a terrible shock and I convinced myself I wouldn’t be around to see my grandchildren grow up. But thanks to research I’m still here."

The Kidderminster grandfather, who used to travel the world servicing printing presses, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2009 after initially going to see his GP with possible haemorrhoids.

"I was given some cream but the discomfort continued so I decided I should get it checked out properly.

"I saw a different doctor who just said let's start with the worst case scenario, which was cancer. As soon as the doctor said he would check my bowel first I knew I’d got bowel cancer. My boss who I had travelled the world with had got bowel cancer, and sadly died from it, so I was thinking if he had it then I might have it too."

Mr Sugden, who now has a three-year-old granddaughter, with another grandchild due next year, was sent to Kidderminster General Hospital for tests which confirmed the cancer diagnosis.

He immediately took up the opportunity to go on a Cancer Research UK clinical trial for bowel cancer patients, which involved two courses of chemotherapy either side of surgery to remove the tumour at Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, in January 2010.

Mr Sugden said: "They were obviously happy with the result of the clinical trial because the treatment had shrunk the tumour and kept it within the colon without spreading outside, so it was easier to operate."

By August 2010, his health had improved sufficiently for him to return to work. But just over a year later he was given the news that he had cancer once again.

"I had been clear for a couple of years but when I went to see the consultant for my two-year check-up in December 2011, she thought my prostate felt a bit lumpy," Mr Sugden said.

A biopsy confirmed that it was prostate cancer, and so followed a course of radiotherapy and ongoing hormone therapy treatment.

Mr Sugden, of Offmore Farm, has now had his two-year colonoscopy, which was all clear.

"I’m so grateful for the treatment that saved my life," he said.

"Success stories like mine would not be possible without Cancer Research UK’s groundbreaking work, which in turn relies on everyone who donates much needed funds.

"By leaving a gift in their will – no matter how big or small the donation – people can give many more families like mine the incredible gift of hope."

For more information about leaving a gift to Cancer Research UK in a will, visit cruk.org/WriteAnEnd or call 0800 077 66 44 for an information pack.