A man who threw away an invitation to be tested for colorectal cancer is now urging others to get screened after he was diagnosed with the disease – one of the most common forms of cancer in Malta.

“I had no symptoms at all, and when on that day, in November of 2014, I received an invitation letter from the National Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme, I threw it away with the other junk mail.

“Although I took interest in my wife and children’s health, I did not really take as much interest in mine,” Anthony Rossi told this newspaper ahead of the launch of Malta’s first colorectal awareness association.

Anthony Rossi’s early cancer detection inspired him to encourage others to get themselves screened. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and the second in women. About 100 Maltese die each year from the disease. While it can be treated successfully if detected in its early stages, less than 40 per cent of colon cancers are detected early.

Luckily for Mr Rossi, his case was treatable, as he was diagnosed with stage two colorectal cancer after bumping into a friend, having thrown away the invitation sent to those aged 60 to 64 just one week earlier.

“I was running an errand in Valletta when I met a friend whom I had not seen in years. While we were catching up, he mentioned that he worked at the screening centre and I told him I had just thrown away an invitation to test for colorectal cancer.

“My friend insisted that one of his acquaintances had been diagnosed after doing the test, so he urged me to take it and said he was going to send the invitation again,” Mr Rossi, 62, recounted.

But instead of a letter, Mr Rossi received a testing kit, which he did not have the heart to throw away.

“I did it at home and it was very simple. I didn’t tell my family as I did not want to alarm them.

“On December 12, I received a call from the centre asking me to head over as they had found traces of blood.”

Still without any visible symptoms, Mr Rossi underwent a colonoscopy, followed immediately by a CT scan.

“When we were told I had been diagnosed with cancer, our reaction was, as it usually is in such cases, one of shock. For the next 24 hours my mind was full of thoughts, fear and the ‘why me’ question.”

Following an operation last year, Mr Rossi was told there had been no spread.

“Had I not done the screening, it would have probably kept growing and spread, and I would have needed more aggressive or invasive treatment,” Mr Rossi added, insisting on the importance of getting screened to catch it early.

In his case, Mr Rossi was diagnosed when he still did not have any symptoms.

This ordeal has inspired Mr Rossi to set up an awareness group, encouraged by practice nurse Sylvia Camilleri.

Registered as a voluntary organisation, the Malta Colorectal Cancer Awareness Group (MCRCAG), of which President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca is an honorary president, will be launched today. It is composed of doctors, nurses and two cancer survivors: Mr Rossi and Norma Cristina. More information is available on info@crc.org.mt.