Sister's heartbreaking warning as 'fitness fanatic' brother dies within a year of diagnosis that 'shook us all'

A grieving sister is warning others after her fitness fanatic brother died within a year of a devastating diagnosis. Benjamin Millard - or Benj to his family and friends - used to go to the gym twice a day and was seemingly fit and healthy.

But Benj's world was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer aged 33. He was given a poor prognosis and died just eight months later, Lancs Live reports.

Now, his sister Abby Morris is spreading awareness of the disease in an effort to try and prevent more loved ones from dying. After setting up charity The Bowel Movement in Benj's memory, Abby has produced a film sharing her brother's story.

READ MORE: "I don't want another parent to go through the pain I have": The heartbroken people facing up to the reality of knife attacks

Benj wasn't displaying the usual symptoms of bowel cancer. His biggest issues were chronic indigestion and low mood which was out of character.

He used to go to the gym twice a day, looking after his physical healthy on a daily basis. Abby said: "He really look after his body. And was really fit and healthy - at least on the surface.

"So when he was 33, to receive the diagnosis of a stage 4 advanced cancer with a very poor prognosis shook us all." It was her brother’s story that encouraged Abby to set up The Bowel Movement.

“On the face of it he was such a fit man,” said Abby. “When we heard the news it was devastating. It was so hard to believe.”

Described by his wife Laura as an "intelligent, confident man with a massive heart" following his death in 2019, Benj was a loving husband, son, stepdad, brother and uncle. His friends called him 'Thanos' after the marvel comic character, because he had a "personality as big as the