A BOWEL cancer survivor from South Ockendon has been featured in the launch of the Decembeard 2015 campaign.

Beating Bowel Cancer’s Decembeard fundraising campaign asks men to stop shaving for the month of December to raise funds through sponsorship to support those affected by bowel cancer, which is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer.

Scott Smith, 36, featured in the photographic exhibition, which was unveiled at the launch event.

The exhibition, by award-winning street photographer, GarconJon, tells the story of brave, bearded individuals who have been affected by bowel cancer and who are supporting the charity’s campaign.

In 2007, Scott had bowel cancer symptoms, but he didn’t recognise them at the time.

He says it was a locum GP who was concerned and referred him straight away.

He was diagnosed with the disease aged just 28.

He said: “I had surgery, but because they caught the cancer early, the tumour hadn’t spread beyond the bowel and I didn’t need chemotherapy or radiotherapy.”