'I Thought I Was Healthy': A 62-Year-Old Paramedic Shares the Symptoms That Led to His Bowel Cancer Diagnosis

Back in 2023, aged 59, I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. I’d begun to feel run down and exhausted by my regular training, and I’d started getting stomach pains and passing blood with my stools. I knew I should see a doctor – I’m a paramedic, after all – but I honestly thought cancer couldn’t happen to me. I’ve always exercised and eaten well – I’m a healthy person. I think that denial is something that causes a lot of men not to seek help soon enough.

I had to have surgery; the procedure should only have left me with a few small scars, but they accidentally tore an artery and ripped my bladder. When I came round, I had 75 staples in my stomach, a stoma and a catheter. It was a shock, but I saw my recovery as another challenge. I trained throughout the chemotherapy I received after surgery – I’d read an article about early evidence pointing to building muscle helping patients tolerate treatment, as well as improving outcomes. I focussed on lifting lighter but increasing reps to find a balance that helped me keep building muscle without exhausting myself.

I’m now in remission, but I still have to focus on balancing my work and my energy levels. I currently work nights at a community hospital in Woking offering end-of-life care, which can be sad but is also very rewarding. It’s less hectic than my previous role, which is what I need right now. I spent 26 years in the London Ambulance Service, rushing around the capital with blue lights on. At 62, I can’t keep up with that pace.

Changing shift patterns can make staying consistent with my training a challenge. When I was younger, I used to be able to come straight off a night shift and hit the gym. As I’ve got older, that’s become more difficult, but most weeks I’ll still hit the gym four times, splitting sessions into upper and lower body, and I train with my Thai boxing group, Team Strikeback, three times a week. It sounds like a lot, but I love it and it helps give me the energy to keep working shifts. Plus, it’s not just about training for me, it’s also an important part of my social life. It’s how I get to see my mates so often.

I started Thai boxing when I was 18 – I loved regular boxing and this seemed like a more dynamic version thanks to all the kicks and spins. It’s definitely a fun sport that keeps you fit, and you don’t have to fight if you don’t want to. Plenty of people come along to just learn and train. I did it for 10 years before I gave it up when I got married and had a young family, but I came back to it about six months ago. The muscle memory was still there, even in my old age. I’ve slowed down a bit, but I still enjoy the sparring. It helps clear my head.

A few months ago, I went to Thailand to train at the Tiger Muay Thai training camp in Phuket, which has always been a dream of mine. I stayed for two weeks, training for two hours twice a day with the most amazing coaches, learning the kinds of tweaks that improve your technique. Plus, the food was incredible – nutritionally dense but also delicious.

It’s exactly how I like to eat. I’m lucky that I genuinely don’t like junk food, so I never crave chocolate or takeaways. I try to keep my meals balanced: breakfast is usually Greek yoghurt with fruit and granola, or porridge with protein powder; lunch is something like scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and a bagel; then chicken or fish, with veg and rice or a sweet potato for dinner. It’s sustainable because I enjoy it, so eating this way never feels like a punishment. I also take quite a few supplements to support my health – creatine, melatonin, a beetroot supplement for my blood pressure and Applied Nutrition’s TRT. I learned about the benefits of most of these from reading Men’s Health, but I always do my research before trying them. If I can feel the beneficial effects, I keep taking them.

I’ve trained throughout my life – it helps keep me sane. It not only really helped me after I got my diagnosis, but also while I was working for the London Ambulance Service. I was there as first response for the 7/7 bombings, the Paddington rail crash and plenty of other harrowing events. Going to the gym afterwards was my way of clearing my head and managing the stress of it all. When I couldn’t train after my surgery, I felt so frustrated. It made me realise how much I need it.

Plus, in my line of work, you see exactly what happens to you if you’re inactive as you age. I don’t want that to happen to me – I want to be able to run around with my grandchildren, once they do finally appear. In the meantime, I’m training with my son for our own personal challenge later this year – for us to both get our abs out on the beach when we go to Florida together. I reckon it has the potential to be my biggest test to date.

Food I can’t do without: Eggs – I eat them pretty much every day.

In my gym bag: Boxing gloves, shin guards, hand wraps and gum shield, ready for Thai Boxing.

What keeps me motivated: The thought of getting old and not being able to do things I do now. Keeping active is the health habit I swear by.

My role model: Muhammad Ali. He’s the person who made me fall in love with combat sports.

Favourite move: Deadlifts in the gym, spinning elbow for Thai boxing.

What makes me feel strong: Being able to do things most people my age can’t do. It’s a flex.

Best advice I ever received: Winners never quit and quitters never win.

Ian Jones is a member of the Men’s Health SQUAD. Join today for training plans, exclusive events and the chance to be featured in the magazine.