The wife of an Oldham man whose cancer was caught after getting an eye test has said she is incredibly thankful he made the appointment.
Last year, Debra Roberts visited Royton's Specsavers branch and her husband Andrew booked to see an optometrist for the first time in 40 years.
Upon inspection, it was found that he had bleeds at the back of his eye and suspecting it was due to high blood pressure or diabetes he was referred to the GP and eye hospital.
After being referred for extra testing it was found that the 55-year-old actually had cancer behind both of his eyes.
His wife said: "When we found out I was upset for him, it was a shock really, it's not something we expected but we said we'd beat this.
“Andy’s lost his mum and dad to cancer, and his sister too – his mum died 30 years ago with breast cancer, and his sister and dad died recently.”
“It's in the family,” she added.
In the weeks, months, and possibly even years leading up to Andrew’s diagnosis, he had been complaining about having itchy eyes and it had got to the point where he was having difficulty driving.
The welder, who runs a sports and leisure business in Failsworth with a partner, managed to catch it early thanks to the eye test and has been undergoing treatment.
Debra added: “He paid £20 extra for this specific eye test, then he got a message to say they made him an appointment at the ICC (Oldham Integrated Care Centre) to see a specialist in Oldham.
“There were spots behind his eyes and he was told he had cancer in both eyes – but if he hadn’t have had that eye test it would’ve travelled through to his liver.
“He had treatment a couple of weeks ago and he’s got the all clear from cancer, although he’s still having to have treatments.”
Andrew, who like Debra is also 55, underwent rounds of radiotherapy where they would “blast” the cancer behind his eyes and he would then go “blind for two or three hours”, which he described as 'not pleasant'.
Now, the couple have moved from their three-storey Windmill Close townhouse and moved to Clitheroe where they live in a luxury van.
Debra added: “Andy wears his glasses for driving and everything is okay now, he's okay.
“It’s thanks to the guys in Royton’s Specsavers that we discovered it all and he didn't need to have chemo.”
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