A Bolton father has shared his terminal cancer story in the hope of saving lives, after learning the disease he once beat has returned and is now incurable.
Mark Allen, 52, who has lived in Bolton for the past nine years, was first diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer in 2023 after experiencing bowel problems that he initially ignored.
Mark said: "I just put up with it.
"I just thought it was piles or something minor.
"I ignored it, I didn't tell anyone, and that was my biggest mistake."
In March 2023 Mark suffered severe bleeding and was rushed for urgent tests.
Doctors found a six-centimetre tumour in his colorectal wall, which has spread to his lymph nodes and pelvis.
He underwent radiotherapy, nine months of chemotherapy , including intravenous treatment, and a major operation in December 2023 to remove the tumour.
The surgery saved his life but left him with a permanent stoma.
After treatment, scans showed no sign of cancer.
“I genuinely thought I’d been given a second chance at life,” Mark said.
“So we made the most of it.”
'I beat it once and thought it wouldn’t get me again'
Mark and his partner Maddy travelled across Europe, visiting places including Lisbon, Poland and Belgium, determined to create memories together.
He explained: “We said if it ever comes back, we want to be able to say we lived."
But in January this year, Mark received devastating news.
Scans revealed the cancer had returned and spread to his liver and pelvis.
He has now been diagnosed with stage four metastatic cancer, which doctors have told him is incurable.
Without treatment, Mark has been given three to six months to live.
With chemotherapy, that could extend to 12 to 18 months, possibly longer.
Mark said: “I feel deflated.
“I beat it once and thought it wouldn’t get me again.
"But I’m not ready to give up. I’ve got the most amazing partner, she's my rock.
"I have amazing friends who care, and my wonderful kids.”
Getting married
Despite the diagnosis, Mark remains determined to stay positive and focus on his family - using humour to help cope.
He said: “You’ve got to laugh about it or it will rip you apart.
“I’ve been down, and I have days where I feel like giving up, but then I think I can’t.
Known for his warmth and generosity, Mark says he has always tried to help others where he can and has been overwhelmed by the support now being shown to him.
“At the end of the day, I’m just Mark,” he said.
“If I can help someone, I will. So to get that help back from the community, it’s overwhelming.”
Friends and strangers have raised thousands of pounds through a GoFundMe page (www.gofundme.com/f/helping-mark-and-his-family-create-precious-final-memories?ref=ed_direct)to support Mark and his family, helping to ease financial pressures and allowing them to focus on making memories together.
He said: “There are people who have donated who I don’t even know,”
“It’s wonderful to receive that support back.”
Earlier this year, Mark and Maddy also made the decision to book their wedding, now planned for February 13 at Bolton Albert Halls.
He added: “Ironically it’s on Friday the 13th.
"But hopefully it’ll be our lucky day.
"We didn’t want to wait, we want to celebrate love while we can.”
Mark still has hopes and dreams he wants to pursue, health permitting.
“I like to call myself a big daft Viking,” he said.
"My name comes from Normandy, my surname, and it's where the where the Vikings settled, so I'd love to go to Denmark and explore my roots.
"I’m a big history buff, I’d love to walk Hadrian’s Wall too, if my health allows.”
Throughout his journey, Mark has been passionate about raising awareness.
AWARENESS
He has previously raised thousands of pounds for cancer charities and even completed a 46-mile walk from Bolton to Blackpool dressed in a full-size poo costume, with the message “Check your poo” written across his back.
He completed the walk alongside his son and a former colleague, taking around 13 hours and 45 minutes.
His message now is more urgent than ever.
Mark said: “Real men cry, I found that out myself.
“You’ve got one life. Don’t gamble with it.
"Please don’t be stubborn, especially men.
"If you notice blood in your poo for more than two weeks, go to the doctors.
“I thought I had a second chance at life, and I wish I’d acted sooner the first time.
"We can beat it together. It just takes more and more people to be aware and not be stubborn."
Mark even chose to mark his survival in his own unique way, getting a tattoo near his surgery scar featuring a barcode design, the date of his operation, and the words “Made in Christie” - a reminder of how far he had come.
“I try turn everything into something positive,” he said.
“That’s just how I am.”
Mark hopes that by sharing his story, he can help save at least one life.
He said: “If this gets one person checked early, then it’s worth everything.”
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