Early test helps United legend fight cancer

MANCHESTER United legend Jack Crompton is thankful his wife is an avid reader of the Evening Chronicle — after it gave him a great fighting chance against cancer.

Sheila Crompton spotted a feature about bowel cancer screening and, knowing the Old Trafford great’s family have a history of the disease, urged Jack to send for a home test kit.

And swift action from the health authorities meant the sprightly 86-year-old was diagnosed with the disease early enough to be treated.

It’s the third most common cancer in Britain, with 35,000 people struck down every year, of which almost half will die. However, more than 90 per cent of cases can be cured if diagnosed in time.

Jack, one of only two surviving members of the Reds team that beat Blackpool in the 1948 FA Cup final, is to have surgery on July 21 to remove the tumour.

The Chronicle teamed up with Oldham Primary Care Trust to run a series of stories during April to mark Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.

Sheila spotted one about a pioneering scheme to cut the number of deaths from bowel cancer using a free home testing kit as part of the NHS bowel cancer screening programme.

Despite being outside the 60-69 age group targeted, over 70s can request a kit and within weeks Jack had been tested, had scans and booked in for surgery.

The former goalkeeper, from Chadderton, said: “I had no symptoms and had not noticed any problems at all. I had no inkling anything was wrong but Sheila pounced on it right away. It’s a good job that she’s a regular reader of the Oldham Chronicle.

“I’m fortunate for Sheila pushing me meant that I have got it done early when they can do something about it. If it had been left later they possibly could not do anything about it.

“They have been very quick and efficient. They are getting on with it excellently and the specialist was really pleasant and nice.”

The battling pensioner had been so preoccupied with other problems, including an operation on a broken bone in his foot, a replacement knee, cataract surgery and finding out he needed a pacemaker, that he hadn’t contemplated another health scare.

But he added: “I’m not doing bad at all. Once they cut it out, all being well, I’ll be fit for pre-season training.”

Sheila said: “If I had not seen the report on the front page it could have been too late. Jack has a family history of bowel cancer. I said it’s worth doing, let’s give it a shot and see.

“The surgeon said that Jack’s case is the first one they have had through the screening programme.”

Oldham PCT consultant in public health, Evelyn Desai, who is leading the screening programme, said: “We are very pleased to hear Mr Crompton has had his condition detected at an early stage. Early detection makes it easier to successfully treat patients.

“I would urge everyone who receives a kit to take part because this is a vital way of trying to make sure the disease is caught early.”

Jack recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of the FA Cup triumph by visiting Kingfisher Community School, Chadderton, to chat to pupils.

Jack played from 1944-1956, winning the league in 1952. He returned as a coach following the Munich air disaster and had a short spell as caretaker manager in 1981.