Former Rochdale midfielder Joe Thompson has revealed he has received a cancer diagnosis for the third time.
The 35-year-old was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013 and recovered before the cancer returned four years later. He then recovered for a second time before ending his career in 2019.
‘[It is] “It’s far from ideal and it’s become quite aggressive, so it’s stage four,” he told BBC Radio Manchester.
‘[The] The only positive thing is that it is the same cancer I had before, but the problem for me this time is that it has reached my lungs, so breathing is a problem, sleeping is difficult and even talking can be quite difficult sometimes.
“Definitely the fight is still internal, nothing changes, but facing it for the third time hurts a lot because you know what you are going to have to go through.”
Joe Thompson made over 200 appearances for Rochdale before his retirement in 2019.
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Thompson played 203 games for Rochdale, but only one in his final campaign with the team after sharing that he had “pushed his body to the absolute limit”.
He was first diagnosed while playing for Tranmere. Thompson later signed for Bury and spent time on loan at Southport and Wrexham as he attempted to improve his fitness following treatment.
He returned to Rochdale from Carlisle in 2016, but the illness soon returned and required extensive treatment.
He announced he was cancer-free in June 2017 and less than a year later scored the goal that kept Rochdale in League One, beating Charlton on the final day of the season.
‘Is it weighing all the options and trying to understand what it is you want to get out of life?’ He added. “Ultimately, I want a quality of life where I can be like everyone else, play with my kids, be as active as possible and enjoy life,” she continued.
‘The problem with a third diagnosis is that it’s like death: here I am again. Then you start thinking about all the emotions.
“I’d be lying if I said there weren’t days where I doubt certain things, but I’ve always said that I will never, ever give up, that I will be beaten if it takes over.”