David Howe at a fundraising event with his children Katie and Daniel
Cancer patients and survivors are lobbying members of the Welsh assembly at the Senedd to improve services.
In their first task as "ambassadors" for the charity Cancer Research UK, more than 30 volunteer campaigners were attending a special event in Cardiff.
They are aiming to improve cancer services and policy for Wales as part of the charity's Cancer 2020 campaign.
It calls on the assembly government to introduce a cancer plan for Wales, like England and Scotland have done.
Although my cancer was detected by means other than screening, I think that screening is vital
David Howe, cancer survivor
The volunteers were meeting their local AMs at a reception before the charity's Race for Life event in the city's Bute Park.
Bowel cancer survivor David Howe, 41, from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, who is among the ambassadors, believes future cancer patients would benefit from the campaign.
"In 1996 whilst serving in the Royal Navy on operations in Sarajevo, I began feeling ill and my symptoms included rapid weight loss," he said.
"When I got back in the summer of 1997, the symptoms ceased until September when they returned with a vengeance. Eventually in March 1998, I had a colonoscopy and a 10cm (4in) tumour was found."
Mr Howe, who has two children, underwent surgery in the same month and started courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.
"I was off work for 11 months but I knew I was going to beat it and I stayed positive," he said.
"My daughter Katie was a toddler then and she used to come and sit on my knee while I was in chemotherapy.
"Once you get over the initial shock, you have to get on with it.
"Although my cancer was detected by means other than screening, I think that screening is vital and I am keen to call for a cancer plan for Wales to make a difference in the future of cancer services and treatment in Wales."
The Cancer 2020 campaign calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to introduce such a cancer plan.
Supporters say the 2000 cancer plan in England and its 2002 equivalent in Scotland, both recently revised, have led to important advances, such as reduced waiting times and increased survival rates.
Cancer Research UK, along with its partners in the Wales Cancer Alliance, said it wanted to see the same commitment to beating cancer in Wales.
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Although my cancer was detected by means other than screening, I think that screening is vital 
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