A Congleton resident who overcame bowel cancer has shared his story.

David Barrow is celebrating the release of his new book, 'OH SH!T, I've got Bowel Cancer'.

The 48-year-old kept a diary during his recent treatment and has now taken the brave step to share his journey with the world, with the aim of helping others.

David said: "Generally, we as males are terrible at going to the doctors.

"We also don't have the same check that women have, not until we're 50 at least.

"One of the driving forces behind publishing this book is to say, if you're not feeling great and it's persistent, it's probably not cancer but go to the doctor and find out.

"The earlier you catch this stuff the better. In my case it was stage three, so if I'd waited much longer it could have been a very different story."

David continued: "I find it quite surreal that this is out there now.

"I've read it back and it kind of upset to me, that I was feeling that way at the time.

"I'm over the moon with reception the book has had so far.

"I've had people tell me it's helping them and even a nurse who is planning to share it with her patients."

David completing a 50km run just months before his diagnosis (Credit: David Barrow)

Management consultant David spent his teenage years in Congleton and moved back to the area over the summer.

In 2024, he began noticing stomach pains but put them down to a change in diet as he prepared to take on an ultramarathon.

It was after treating himself to a steak on holiday that he realised something more serious could be at play.

"It was just stuck on the lefthand side of my body for days afterwards," he said.

"I then went to visit my nephew and, as young boys do, he wanted to playfight and it left me in agony. I remember thinking 'this kid can't be that powerful'."

Following an initial doctor's appointment, David went for a colonoscopy where a large tumour was discovered in his bowel.

"I remember it well because I'm a Liverpool fan and they were playing Man City and I was really annoyed I was going to miss the game," David said.

"I didn't quite appreciate the gravity of the situation, to be honest."

David was diagnosed with bowel cancer in December 2024 (Credit: David Barrow)

Following his diagnosis, David underwent surgery and chemotherapy

"The surgery and diagnosis was comparatively easy to deal with compared to the physical and mental recovery," David said.

"The chemotherapy rewired my brain, you go into survival mode. Every twinge or pain immediately makes you think it's spread."

During his treatment, a friend suggested he keep a diary.

"It really helped me mentally," David added.

"The NHS is wonderful but you can get lost in a minefield of information, so I started to write about what I had learned each day as well as all of the ups and downs.

"I've never kept a journal before, but it became the thing that grounded me.

"When I couldn't sleep I would write and it would always help me, so I thought maybe this can help someone else too."

OH SH!T is out now (Credit: David Barrow)

OH SH!T, the first in a three-part series, was released on Tuesday, September 30.

A portion of the profits will go towards Bowel Cancer UK.

Next year, David will be completing a number of challenges for the charity, including running 106km around the Isle of Wight in May followed by the Three Peaks in June.