Man found cancer symptoms the day before wedding

"I hope that by sharing my story, I might encourage other people to get checked out."

Les Scott, 64, from Telford, says he has finally got his life back, after discovering symptoms of bladder cancer the day before his wedding in 2017.

Although the ceremony went ahead, the diagnosis meant he put his life on hold and surgery to replace both hips was postponed.

The bus driver had got down to 17st from 24st ahead of his wedding.

Just as he was about to return to work after cancer treatment and hip operations, he fell off a stepladder, breaking the metal stem in a new hip.

After months of using a scooter and crutches, Mr Scott plans to walk Cancer Research UK's 10k Race for Life at Telford Town Park on Sunday.

The Arriva driver said: "I thought I had cystitis, but I went to the chemist the day before my wedding and got told men can't get that."

Mr Scott stated his wife was worried, because her first husband died of cancer, but "I just decided to put myself in the hands of the doctors".

He added: "They told me that bladder cancer is often diagnosed late in men because they don't speak up about their symptoms."

Test results showed he had stage four bladder cancer and needed BCG treatment – originally developed as a tuberculosis vaccine, but later developed into an immunotherapy cancer treatment.

Mr Scott said: "Initially doctors said they were going to take my bladder out, but they didn't think I'd survive the operation.

"I had BCG treatment... I was really scared but, thanks to improvements in research and treatment, I've survived to tell the tale."

During cancer treatment, he went up to 20st (127kg).

"I was told I had to lose three stone before my hip surgery in 2019 which I did but, when I went for my second hip replacement, I was told to lose another four stone."

Mr Scott took part in last year's 10k Telford Race and will raise funds in memory of his mother, who died of cancer, to thank researchers for treatment that saved his life.

Since it began in 1994, more than 10 million people have taken part in Race for Life.

He said: "It's been tough, but I feel like I've got my life back now."

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.