I FINALLY got round to using the home testing kit for bowel cancer, offered to the over-sixties by the NHS. The results came back as abnormal, so a colonoscopy was offered.

Scary, yes, but despite having no symptoms of anything amiss, I accepted. A large polyp was spotted and removed then and there. This turned out to be non-cancerous, but would have eventually caused problems.

This letter is to encourage others to face their fears and go ahead with the screening, and also to record my thanks to the team in Morecambe and at the Westmorland General Hospital at Kendal, who were exemplary in their professionalism and care. When you are anxious, small things like the simple touch of a hand and the offer of tea and toast afterwards can feel like great kindnesses.

We are so lucky to have a National Health Service (though we really need to pay more in taxes to fund it) and fortunate to be given the chance of life-saving screening.

So please, grit your teeth and take advantage of this!

l Editor's note: The Westmorland Gazette has taken the very rare step in this case of publishing this letter anonymously, as the writer had not informed her elderly parents about the health issue.