A father of three battling cancer for the second time in his life says he feels like "the luckiest man in the world" to be alive.

Canterbury City Councillor Andrew Cook recently celebrated his 68th birthday after having an operation for rectal cancer just six years after beating prostate cancer.

Cllr Cook, who represents Heron ward in Herne Bay, said at times he "wasn't sure" he would make it to another birthday after spotting concerning symptoms in 2021.

After stool samples and a blood test came back clear, he pushed for further investigation – which eventually discovered the cancer.

"I think men can be really bad at sticking their heads in the sand and ignoring things, but the earlier something is found, the more chance you have of successful treatment," he explained.

"It's easy for things to be brushed to one side and at first no one thought it was anything serious.

"But my sister had been diagnosed with colon cancer and I wasn’t convinced so I went back to the GP and when she exhausted all the options available she referred me to the hospital.

"They were able to use a camera to investigate and that’s when they found the cancer."

The council cabinet member, who also volunteers with Herne Bay Pier Trust, underwent three months of chemotherapy and a course of radiotherapy, before having surgery to remove the tumour in February.

However, a blockage in a temporary stoma bag sparked complications, causing him to "go downhill fast".

"I hadn't eaten for 10 days and everyone was getting pretty worried," he said.

"They told me the operation to reverse the stoma so soon after the initial procedure had only been done once before at the hospital but there wasn’t really another choice.

"I think I am the luckiest man in the world..."

"I did think about dying and it gave me the chance to reflect on what’s really important, which is my family.”

Cllr Cook spent a further 10 days recuperating before being discharged home to his wife Alison, feeling "lucky to be alive".

He said: "After the way I was looked after I think I am the luckiest man in the world.

"I am so grateful to the surgeon Aftab Khan and his team, and everyone on the ward who cared for me and made sure I lived to tell the tale.

"I am waiting to hear what’s next in terms of treatment but so grateful to the NHS for getting me this far.

"Now I just want other people to pay attention to their own bodies and to get checked, especially if they have a family history of cancer."