The stent hadn’t helped after all; the impacted kidney had, in fact, been irreversibly damaged and was now functioning at a paltry 20%. Why? The cancer was back, and worse.

Because of this, experts say a stent connecting a kidney to the bladder should be replaced every three to six months. Worldwide, more than 1.5 million of these stents are inserted annually.

Sgt Rick Clement, who is originally from Chatburn and served with the First Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, needs procedures to repair a hernia in his stomach and a kidney stent.