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A man endured three years of gruelling treatment for terminal lung cancer – before being told he had been wrongly diagnosed.

Hospital porter Roger Mollison, 66, was warned he had just nine months to live after lab tests appeared to show he had lethal mesothelioma - caused by exposure to asbestos.

He gave up work and began gruelling chemotherapy to stave off the disease.

In the months that followed he tried to make the most of the time he had left by spending it with his beloved children and seven grandchildren.

One of his biggest fears was not living long enough to see his son get married.

But, to his relief, he survived to attend the ceremony and to see two new grandchildren and two great-grandchildren born.

It was not until the end of March - almost three years after the original diagnosis at Ninewells Hospital that he discovered his “cancer” was another asbestos-related condition that is not life-threatening.

The stunned dad-of-two from Dundee said: “I’ve spent almost three years fearing I’d die any time and my family have suffered horribly.

“I prepared to not be around for much longer and went through the awful feelings that go with that.

"Then I was shocked to the core when they told me the original lab results were wrong and I’m still trying to come to terms with it.

“It is wonderful to know that I am not dying but I have lost all confidence in doctors and don’t know if I ever will regain it.”

Roger began suffering breathing problems several years ago. He was admitted to Ninewells in Dundee before being referred to a specialist who performed a biopsy.

Suspected mesothelioma was diagnosed - with exposure to asbestos in a previous job as an insulation engineer cited as a probable reason.

The dad-of-two believed he was to become one of the 2,000 UK men whose lives are claimed by the disease each year. Victims normally live between six and 18 months.

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He was even visited by palliative care nurses who advised on how best to spend what time he had left. Roger agreed to undergo chemotherapy - and stunned staff in the oncology ward with his progress.

The correct diagnosis only emerged after Roger instructed lawyers to prepare a claim for compensation against the insurers of his former employers.

They sent him for fresh tests and the second opinion confirmed Roger is “unlikely to have mesothelioma”.

His family say the ordeal of being told their husband, dad and granddad had months to live has had a “horrendous” impact.

His wife, Liz, said: “We are hugely relieved Roger is not desperately ill but devastated about what we all went through.

“Surely these hospital tests should always be checked and rechecked.”

A spokesman for NHS Tayside said: “Due to patient confidentiality, we cannot comment on individual cases.

“We would encourage Mr Mollison to contact us so we can look into his concerns further for him.”