By Stewart Ross

A 52-YEAR-OLD Fife man stricken with gastro-intestinal cancer has been given six months to live unless he takes urgent treatment—but has already spent two of those months waiting for the treatment to begin.

His distraught family say they feel he has simply been “written off” by the health authorities at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, with his sister-in-law saying those close to him are in “utter despair.”

She said, “In today’s perceived age of equality one would think respect and choice would be offered to all, regardless of colour, creed, age or illness. Alas, not if you have been diagnosed with gastro-intestinal cancer.”

The man, who asked to remain anonymous, was keen to begin his treatment as soon as possible after his diagnosis on July 7 and awaited his appointment eagerly, as he had been given the choice of living six months without treatment and more than a year if he takes the option of chemotherapy.

“Unfortunately no treatment has yet been received.This equates to a large proportion of his six months,” added his sister-in-law. “We wonder if he will manage to survive until they deem fit to offer him the treatment he so desperately needs.”

A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said, “We cannot comment on individual cases but would advise anyone with concerns to contact the NHS Tayside Complaints and Advice Team on 0800 027 5507.”