WHEN Dave Mason underwent surgery for his burst appendix he thought it would be some time before he was in an operating theatre again.

But after further tests on the organ, the transport manager was told he had an incredibly rare form of cancer.

The diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) meant that Mr Mason, of Kingswood, was one in a million people a year to be diagnosed with the disease.

In February he underwent a 12-hour operation where most of the internal organs were removed from the abdomen and other parts were then stripped of their surface tissue because the cancer produces a jelly-like mucus.

The abdominal cavity was then filled with a heated chemotherapy solution to wash the inside of the body out for an hour.

Having been through such an invasive operation procedure, which caused him to lose about two stone in weight, Mr Mason is now preparing to trek the Snowdon Horseshoe circuit, which takes in the top of the mountain via other ridges, on Saturday – just six months after surgery.

The father-of-two will raise money for North Hampshire and Basingtoke Hospital, one of only two centres in the country that deal with cases of PMP.

He will be joined on the trek by other people who have overcome the rare form of cancer.

Mr Mason, 36, said: "I was out in Kingswood shopping with my wife Tracey when I suffered terrible back pains and was rushed into Frenchay A&E.

"I had an operation for my burst appendix and when I came around from that they said it was one of the worst they had seen.

"At that point there was no mention of cancer but they sent my appendix off for examination and after three weeks, as I was getting back to normal, I received a letter for an appointment at the colorectal unit at Southmead.

"I was expecting it just to be a check-up to see how I was doing, a pat on the back and be told to get back to it but I actually ended up with the 'Mr Mason, you've got cancer' discussion."

The caving and pothole enthusiast was shocked to receive the diagnosis as he always kept himself fit and had a healthy diet.

He was told that he had probably had the cancer for five to 10 years but until his appendix burst the mucus was not released.

Having been informed about the disease Mr Mason took the time to research it but discovered there was not a lot of information available so decided to write his own blog about his experiences.

He said: "I am raising money for the hospital because I had such fantastic care.

"I wanted to give something back and that is why I decided to do the walk.

"The Snowdon Horseshoe is one of the toughest routes and the money raised will go to the PMP fund at the hospital to buy equipment for the specialist ward but also help with research."

Visit cavecrawlerstory.blogspot.com to read more and to sponsor Mr Mason.