A 75-YEAR-OLD man is thanking his lucky stars he is still alive having being diagnosed and successfully treated for bowel cancer.

Herbert Arthur Hodgson, of Hellifield, is the first person to owe his life to the Clear Cancer Campaign Clinic at Airedale Hospital, Steeton.

The clinic, which is the first of its kind in the country, was spearheaded by Brian Ludlam and Skipton Rotarians who raised over £40,000 to set up the life saving unit.

Statistics show that 18,000 people die each year from bowel cancer but the disease is curable if diagnosed early enough.

Mr Hodgson found the clinic by accident after his wife Doreen had mentioned to her own doctor that he was having problems.

Dr Eric Ward, of Settle, suggested the couple contacted the clinic at Airedale and they were given an appointment for one week later, November 9 1999.

Mr Hodgson had a number of polyps, which are little growths, removed and sent away for testing. He was called to see director of surgery Raja Kapadia who told him the cells were cancerous.

By December 10 Mr Hodgson was in hospital being operated on and by the 17th he was told the cancer had been caught in time and he was home in time for Christmas.

Mrs Hodgson said: "It was all due to the Clear Campaign that we got the treatment in time."

She added that her husband just thought he had piles and was not ill with any symptoms that required a doctor's attention.

The couple has been told that the cancer was spreading down one of the polyp stalks and if they had not gone to a doctor when they did the result could have been very different.

"It was a big shock, but everyone was so fantastic," said Mrs Hodgson, who added they were given all the information and advice they needed.

The Craven clinic is the only unit in the country dedicated to the disease and it is thought it could save up to 50 lives in Craven every year.

Mrs Hodgson said she thought this type of clinic should be available in other towns and added that it was a shame this lifesaving unit had had to be set up through money raised voluntarily.

Brian Ludlam, who began the campaign for the clinic back in April, said he was delighted with the feedback he had received from patients.

Mr Ludlam, who is chairman of Ebor Fabrics in Embsay, contracted colorectal cancer three years ago. Following his own successful treatment he decided to promote the importance of early diagnosis and contacted Skipton Rotary to sponsor the campaign in partnership with Airedale Hospital.

He said the work being done at the clinic was tremendous. He spoke of one man who within only four days had phoned to make an appointment, been seen, and got the all clear.

Mr Kapadia said awareness of the clinic was limited at the moment but stories like Mr Hodgson's proved how essential the clinic and early diagnosis was.

"It is saving lives and I hope we are acting as a pilot scheme," he said.

He added that as well as Mr Hodgson he had treated a number of cases of benign polyps and inflammatory bowel cancer.

In the near future the clinic will be implementing a household mail drop to give residents further information and will be giving advice to local chemists on how to identify symptoms and refer patients to the clinic.

Mr and Mrs Hodgson wish to thank everyone who cared for Mr Hodgson and all those who donated money for the clinic to be set up.

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