12 July 2023 , 23:25
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A dad-of-two thought his "life was over" after a shock cancer diagnosis - with medics giving hm only five years to live.
Craig Speirs, from Elderslie, near Paisley, started seeing his GP in 2008 for symptoms including light flushing to his face and body, going to the toilet up to fifteen times a day and heart palpitations.
The former manager at a security company recalled how doctors were left puzzled and didn't know what the problem was until he received his diagnosis five years later, in November 2013, aged 32.
Craig was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine cancer, a rare cancer which can start in different parts of the body. It was in the rectum where Craig's cancer had started and he now has 'hundreds of tumours' on his liver too.
Although he was told he didn't have long to live, Craig, now 42, is still alive and has learnt to live with the terminal illness, reports Glasgow Live.
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Dad-of-two Craig with his family (Craig Speirs)The news of the cancer, however, shocked his loved ones including his wife Angela who he shares two children - Adam, seven and Rhianne, aged 14.
He said: "I thought my life was over when I got told I had cancer. It was quite shocking for my family too, they probably thought they are going to lose me.
"I worked for nine months and then it became really difficult with all the treatments and I wasn't able to do the job how I wanted to do it. It was making the treatments even harder so I just took a step back to spend time with my kids.
"A cancer diagnosis will prioritise your life in a way that nothing else ever will. You will look at things in your life and think that things which weren’t a priority before become a priority.
"My priority in life isn’t how far I can go in my career, I have different aspirations in life."
Craig was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine cancer, a rare cancer which can start in different parts of the body (Supplied by RPL media)Each year in the UK, around 6,000 people are diagnosed with a Neuroendocrine cancer.
In the last decade, Craig has had eight operations on his liver, two heart surgeries and multiple treatments - including chemotherapy - to improve his quality of life.
His health battle has been mentally challenging with the dad having had good days and bad, but he has focused his energy on raising awareness of Neuroendocrine cancer and is even an ambassador for Neuroendocrine Cancer UK (NCUK).
Craig is organising a charity firewalk at the Johnstone Bowling Club hoping to raise £100,000 for the NCUK to help the vital organisation with cancer research.
Craig Speirs pictured with wife Angela (Craig Speirs)He added: "I had a meeting with my professional not long ago and they are surprised that I am doing well. I have become so used to it and adapted to that way of life now.
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"I have hundreds of small tumours in my liver. If you see a scan, you’d think this guy has days to live but because it is slow growing my body is able to adapt and live with it a bit longer.
"If I was to sit in the house and do nothing my mental health would be poor. I am feeling quite positive, we have 50 people signed up from friends, family and patients.
"My hope is that someday we find a test that will speed up the process so patients can get diagnosed earlier."