Two Highland men who have survived prostate cancer have backed a campaign designed to change the way cancer is viewed in Scotland.
Colin Thompson, 61, from Fortrose, and Stephen Bird, 67, from Ardgay, shared their stories to encourage people to act early to get any potential signs or symptoms checked out.
The men, who were diagnosed after mentioning to their GP their need to go to the toilet more frequently, have since been successfully treated and are back to full health.
The campaign, entitled Survivors, has appeared on radio, online and TV screens in recent weeks telling the story of Scottish spirit and resolve in a bid to help reduce people’s fear around visiting their GP with any persistent or unusual changes to their health and attending screening when invited.
With more people surviving cancer than ever before, the campaign reinforces the role that acting early plays in improving their chances of survival.
Colin, who was diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer, underwent surgery in July 2013 to have his prostate removed and is now back to full health, running the hotel he owns with his wife Ros in Dornoch.
He said: “I put my frequency of peeing down to the cold weather and getting older.
“The tumour was bigger than they had initially thought, so I’m so glad I went to the doctors when I did. I hate to think what would have happened if I’d left it any longer.”
It is hoped that this latest campaign will reinforce the fact that more people survive cancer than die from it, and empower people to take responsibility for getting any potential signs or symptoms checked early.