Dudley bowel cancer survivor writes book to increase awareness and raise vital funds for Russells Hall Hospital
Andy Mullaney wants his story to be a "lifeline for others"
A Dudley bowel cancer survivor is using his experience to raise awareness of the disease and vital funds for the NHS Trust that helped save his life by turning his story into a book.
Andy Mullaney was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2024 after becoming increasingly exhausted - despite having no other obvious symptoms apart from extreme fatigue.
What initially appeared to be simply being unusually tired gradually became impossible to ignore and later led to Andy being diagnosed with stage two bowel cancer.
He has since had surgery and treatment and is now cancer free, but it determined to educate others not to dismiss health symptoms they're concerned about.
"My brain started thinking what can I do to try and make a bit of a difference," he said.
"60 per cent of people who present to my surgeon with extreme fatigue have stage four cancer - I was only stage two. I'm so lucky - another few weeks and I would have been stage four."
His book - titled "Didn’t Anyone Ever Tell You? Never Trust a Fart!: Surviving and Beating Bowel Cancer", is already making a difference.
He's pledged to also donate 50 per cent of the profits from the book sales to The Dudley Group NHS Charity.
Andy said: "Somebody's told me that it's already made a difference to their life and they've gone out and got treatment quicker, and so far, for the hospital charity at the moment, we've raised the best part of £1,000 from the profits to donate to them."
The author and speaker wants his message of not sweeping health concerns under the rug to particular resonate with younger people, with rates of bowel cancer rising among people under 50.
"For the younger people out there this is really, really important," Andy said.
"Take action - don't ignore it."
Balancing his humorous title with the serious nature of the message behind it, Andy hopes by sharing his story, others will feel for comfortable talking about cancer, spot the signs quicker and have better outcomes.
He said: "I hope the title raises a smile as well as generating some curiosity about bowel cancer.
"If it encourages even one person to get checked, then it will have done something worthwhile.
“Every life really does matter.”
Group Chief Executive at The Dudley Group, Diane Wake, who also wrote for the foreword for Andrew’s book said, “I’m honoured to have been able to read Andrew’s book.
"He has taken a deeply personal and often painful experience and turned it outwards into a story of support and encouragement for others.
“He’s reminded us that while cancer can threaten to take control, we can choose how we respond; through humour, connection and choosing to fight.
"I want to thank Andrew for finding a way to give others hope and companionship through this book and for the valuable funds he is donating to our charity that will make a difference to many people going through a similar experience.”