Lytham grandfather backs new ‘spot cancer’ campaign

Clive Barley is backing the campaign which runs in the North West throughout March with a humorous TV ad.

Designed to show how easy it is for people to ignore changes in their body while they get on with their busy lives, the ad shows a ‘lump’ in a road gradually getting bigger while office workers, mums, cyclists and road cleaners seem oblivious to the change and the disruption it causes.

Eventually the bump becomes so big that people have to walk around it but, despite this, still ignore it. Finally, one person acknowledges its presence and the Voice over says: “It’s easy to ignore something, especially when we’re busy. But spotting cancer sooner could save your life.”

Support

Clive, who is retired, is keen to support the campaign.

The 66-year-old was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2003 after he noticed he was passing blood in his stools.

Tests revealed Clive had a cancerous tumour in his bowel and the following month he underwent surgery to have the tumour removed.

The operation was a success and Clive, who is married to Linda and has three daughters, and five grand-children, made an excellent recovery.

Clive has completed numerous marathons and half marathons for Cancer Research UK. He also volunteers as a local ambassador which means he is involved in promoting Cancer Research UK’s campaigns in the Fylde area.

Clive, a former Human Resources manager, said: “When I was first told I had cancer, I just went numb from head to toe. I thought perhaps it wasn’t real – it couldn’t be happening to me.

“Luckily the cancer was caught in its early stages, and thanks to the excellent treatment I received from the team at the Victoria Hospital in Blackpool, my cancer experience has been a very positive one.”