A BRAVE cancer survivor from Knightswood is hoping 2019 will be the start of a healthier future for himself and so many others going through the disease.

Jason Robertson, 53, is assistant manager of the Cancer Research UK shop in Byres Road and was diagnosed with bowel cancer on December 13, 2017, after first visiting his doctor with symptoms including tiredness and blood in his stools.

He is one of many people urging residents to get involved this World Cancer Day - on February 4 - by purchasing a Cancer Research UK Unity Band.

The Unity Bands, available online and in all Cancer Research UK shops for a suggested donation of £2, come in pink, navy and blue and can be worn in memory of a loved one, to celebrate people who’ve overcome cancer or in support of those going through treatment.

And now to mark coming to the end of more than a year of treatment for bowel cancer, Jason has spoken out about his experience.

He said: “It’s been a long journey but I’m getting there. I’ve got some brilliant family and friends. To anyone going through cancer I’d say try not to over think things, take the support that’s out there and trust that the doctors will get you better.

“Cancer is incredibly tough but so many people are affected by it. I’ve been fortunate to work in Cancer Research UK shops for around 15 years and the staff and volunteers I’ve met in that time are special. I appreciated the chance to hear about everything that was going on in the shop when they visited me in hospital.”

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Chemotherapy and radiotherapy last spring failed to get rid of Jason’s tumour, and surgery was the next option.

In June last year at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, he had a five-hour operation to remove the part of his colon which contained tumour.

Doctors predicted that Jason would be in hospital for around eight days but instead he ended up in hospital for three weeks as he battled constant sickness.

When Jason was well enough to be discharged from hospital he started on six chemotherapy sessions – one every fortnight.

After a final chemotherapy session on October 31 last year, Jason then had stoma reversal surgery on December 10 where the surgeon joined the ends of the colon back together, and is currently recovering.

Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “We are very grateful to Jason for his support to show how important it is for everyone to wear a Unity band on World Cancer Day.

“It is a powerful accessory in the fight against the disease. Today as many people survive cancer as die from cancer, but there’s still much more to do. We’re working every day to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease. But we can’t do it alone.

"By making a donation of just £2, people across Scotland will be able to help fund world-class cancer research to help more people, survive. Together, we will beat cancer.”