A sports-mad father-of-two is urging youngsters with unusual tiredness to visit their GP, after his doctor ruled out his bowel cancer as an iron deficiency.
Andrew Walker, 31, from Yorkshire, was diagnosed with the fatal disease earlier this year after weeks of debilitating exhaustion.
As well as fatigue, the keen rugby player found his body was struggling to recover from injuries such as injections into wounds and punctured lungs.
However, a GP said he was probably suffering from anaemia, a condition in which a lack of iron in the body leads to a reduction in the number of red blood cells needed for energy.
When the symptoms continued, doctors suggested that the civil engineer take a stool sample and detected traces of blood in the sample.
He was sent to hospital for further tests which eventually detected bowel cancer, a condition which is increasing at an alarming rate in those under 50.
Andrew Walker is a keen rugby player and father of two. However, at the age of 31 he was diagnosed with bowel cancer, despite having no bowel problems.
The rugby captain then underwent surgery to remove half his intestine, as well as nearby lymph nodes, in case the cancer had spread.
He is currently awaiting test results that will determine whether he needs further treatment.
Although only five per cent of those diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK are under 50, cases in younger people are increasing.
Between the early 1990s and 2018, the number of adults aged 25 to 49 diagnosed rose by 22 per cent in Britain, according to figures from Cancer Research.
Experts are still not sure exactly why, although some suggest the increase may be due to the growing popularity of ultra-processed foods.
Speaking about his shock diagnosis, Andrew, who plays for Bradford Dudley Hill RLFC in West Yorkshire, said he “couldn’t process” the news.
“I was expecting to have an ultrasound, have some tests taken and go home. I didn’t expect it to turn into such a whirlwind.”
Andrew has two children with his wife Becki and says his diagnosis has changed the lives of his family and teammates.
Andrew began to feel tired earlier this year and found it strange that rugby injuries he normally recovered from quickly, such as a knock to the eye, were taking a while to heal.
Andrew then cut his finger and it became infected, meaning he had to spend 11 nights in hospital and undergo four surgeries as doctors couldn’t seem to control the bacteria.
Although the “random injuries” were not related to his bowel cancer, he says his body “couldn’t cope” with the recovery because it was fighting the disease.
“I attribute it all to the fact that I lead a busy lifestyle and I’m tired,” he said. “I also attribute it to the fact that I’m a little bit older.”
Shortly after the diagnosis, Andrew was forced to tell his teammates, in what he says was one of the “hardest conversations” he’s ever had.
Andrew is currently waiting to find out if he needs further treatment after having half his bowel and lymph nodes removed.
When he was first given the devastating news, Andrew said he had a hard time processing it and asked the specialist if he could “come back later.”
‘I’ve known some of the lads for years and they were all very shocked and distraught by it.
“It affected them a lot, a bit like it affected my family. We are a very close team, like a family.”
Bradford Dudley Hill RLFC are hosting a charity tournament for Andrew on September 27th.
Andrew, who is married to Becki, 42, is encouraging people who have symptoms to get tested as soon as possible.
He said: ‘I would say go and get checked, and if you’re not sure, get a blood test. It takes a minute and that can pick up the early symptoms.
‘It’s not just the effect it will have on you, but also the effect it will have on your family and your friends.
‘If cancer is detected early, it is treatable.
‘Even if I get the go-ahead, then it’s not the end because I have a minimum of five years of testing.
‘It’s good because they watch you, but it takes away your energy.
“The effect is longer lasting.”