In July I will be cycling from London to Paris, this will be by far the most difficult physical activity I have ever undertaken.

During the ride I will be thinking about all those close to me who have been lost to cancer: Eileen Snr.(brain tumour), Ben(lung), Liz(pancreas), Mel(pancreas) and Alastair(skin and bone).

I'll also be thinking of those who are still with us: Tony (prostate and stomach) and Anne (bladder) who have been successfully treated.

And lastly I'll be thankful to the bowel screening system, without which I would almost certainly have had cancer myself.