AFL legend Anthony Rocca has spoken out about his recent cancer diagnosis and the symptom that set off alarm bells.
The 46-year-old former Collingwood player was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma two weeks ago.
Rocca revealed that he had been suffering from acute back pain that had been waking him up at night for several weeks.
When he finally saw Collingwood doctor Dr Ruben Branson he was put through a series of tests which revealed the ‘dreaded’ diagnosis.
“Nobody likes to be told that they have that kind of disease, but I’m the kind of person who faces what’s in front of me… I’m going to get through this,” Rocca he told the Sunday Herald Sun.
“Nobody likes the dreaded ‘c’ word, even I find it difficult to pronounce now.”
Rocca, who now coaches the Northern Knights in the Coates Talent League (Australia’s premier under-18s competition in Victoria), said he immediately tried to improve his treatment.
In the coming weeks he will begin six months of chemotherapy with the support of his wife Enza and his children, Mia, 18, and Max, 14.
Former Collingwood player turned Northern Knights coach Anthony Rocca, 46, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma two weeks ago.
In the coming weeks he will begin a six-month chemotherapy treatment with the support of his wife Enza and his children: Mia, 18, and Max, 14 (pictured together).
Rocca said he will take next season off and has already handed over his coaching duties to Monty Stuart for the time being.
Rocca began noticing a “strange, stabbing pain” in his back six to eight weeks ago.
“Something in the back of my mind told me it was very different from what I had experienced in the past… It didn’t affect me during the day, but it would wake me up in the middle of the night,” she said.
At that time Rocca was still training in the gym and doing boxing sessions.
He endured the pain for about three or four weeks before seeing a doctor.
He then underwent a series of She had ultrasounds, CT scans and PET scans before she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a disease in which cancer cells form in the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system.
In some positive news, the football legend has been told his cancer is highly treatable.
Rocca said he went to the doctor for a checkup after a “strange, stabbing” back pain woke him up in the middle of the night for weeks.
Rocca is pictured with his wife Enza in 2009. She has been by his side as he deals with his cancer diagnosis.
Over his 15-year career, Rocca played 242 AFL games and kicked 415 goals for Collingwood and Sydney in 15 seasons.
This year he will celebrate his 20th wedding anniversary with Enza, who he said has been “very strong and understanding” since his diagnosis.
The father of two hopes his diagnosis will encourage others to get tested if they notice any unusual symptoms.