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An islander who was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the beginning of this year is to run 48 miles to raise money for the UK hospital where he was operated on by a leading surgeon – who was raised in Jersey.
After he lost his father and two uncles to bowel cancer, Ian Tillotson was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome, a genetic condition that doesn't present any symptoms but makes him more likely to develop bowel cancer.
In women, Lynch syndrome can also increase the risk of lining of the uterus, among other types of cancer.
Ever since, Ian has regularly undergone testing for bowel cancer. He was diagnosed in January this year, and praised Hospital staff who "did all the right things".
"The level of attention to detail on that and the follow-up were excellent," he said.
The diagnosis came only a few months after Ian's home had been affected by Storm Ciarán, and he quickly had to transition from worrying about repairing walls.
Pictured: Ian's home was affected by the storm - but he said he had no concerns about how repairs were going.
"When my diagnosis came through, [I realised] that's really not that relevant, and health and family is really the most important thing," he said.
On 6 February 2024, he underwent a six-hour surgery, during which 85% of his colon was removed – by a Jersey-born surgeon who is a leader in the field.
Omar Faiz, who guided Ian through the process and took out his colon, grew up in Jersey and was educated at Victoria College, before becoming a leading surgeon in the colorectal surgery. Ian described Mr Faiz as "a luminary" in the field.
Pictured: Ian after his surgery in London.
Mr Faiz is a surgeon at St Mark's Hospital, as well as a Professor of Practice in Colorectal Surgery at Imperial College London.
Ian has already run the Round the Rock ultramarathon once, and got back into running once cleared by his doctors.
He now plans to run the 48-mile race again on 3 August, days before the six-month anniversary of his surgery, raising money for St Mark's Hospital, a specialist bowel hospital that has mobilised initiatives to find people with Lynch syndrome.
"After two-and-a-half months or so, I was able to get back into running," he said, adding that the fresh air had helped him clear his mind and provided him with "a bit of therapy".
Pictured: Ian took part in the Round the Rock challenge in 2023.
He added that he had had to start slowly and adapt his diet when getting back into running.
The race next month will see him traverse the whole island.
Ian encouraged people to take up the FIT testing, or faecal immunochemical testing, that is offered in Jersey as a first step to find out whether one would benefit from a colonoscopy or endoscopy - ensuring hospital resources go to those who need them most.
More easily accessible and less invasive than a colonoscopy, an FIT test is recommended every other year for those aged 55-65.
Ian also encouraged people to be aware of their family history so that doctors could more easily spot risk factors, having himself been diagnosed with Lynch syndrome after several relatives died from bowel cancer.
Ian is fundraising for St Mark's Hospital on JustGiving – click HERE to make a donation.
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