Teacher Paul’s ‘rare’ cancer
PE teacher Paul Riley is set to start a course of intensive radiotherapy after spotting an “incredibly rare” cancerous growth in his belly button.
A PE teacher is set to start a course of intensive radiotherapy after spotting an “incredibly rare” cancerous growth in his belly button.
Paul Riley, a father of one from Bridgend, was initially diagnosed with oesophageal and stomach cancer in 2015 at the age of 47.
Despite having chemotherapy and being given the all-clear for two years, he knew the disease had returned when he felt a lump in his belly button.
“I went to the doctors with indigestion. I’d also lost weight which I assumed was due to a change in my diet,” said Paul, recalling how he felt before his first cancer diagnosis three years ago.
“When I was diagnosed it came as a great shock. My family and friends were in a state of disbelief as I was regarded as the ‘healthy one’ who went to the gym every day and ate well.”
Paul, who teaches at Llantwit Major School, went under the knife to remove a large part of his stomach before having six sessions of chemotherapy.
After being clear of cancer for almost two years Paul recently returned from a Christmas break in Australia to be told the devastating news that his cancer had returned.
He said: “The cancer has returned in my belly button, which I’ve been told is incredibly rare.
“I knew something wasn’t right as I felt really tired, I’d lost weight, and had this really strange growth in my belly button. I was devastated when I was told it had come back.
“I’m waiting for biopsy results and I’ll be starting radiotherapy soon which will hopefully get rid of it for good.
“Cancer may be the ul- timate test of you physically but it also affects you mentally. I’d like to think I’m coping but there have been some dark times when it’s been really hard.”
Paul is supporting Cancer Research UK’s latest fundraising campaign, Walk All Over Cancer, which invites people in Wales to get sponsored to walk 10,000 steps every day in March to support the charity’s life-saving research.
“Thanks to research I’m still here and will continue to fight this disease,” he said.
“That’s why I’m encouraging everyone in Wales to put on their walking shoes and step up to the Walk All Over Cancer challenge this March.
“One of my motivations is to raise awareness, especially among men who are traditionally unwilling to go to the doctors.
“I have friends who have ignored symptoms and are reluctant to see their GP as they don’t want to waste people’s time.
“I would encourage anyone with any unusual symptoms to go and see their GP as being diagnosed early is so important.”
Walking 10,000 steps at a brisk pace could burn roughly 500 calories – the same as five slices of margarita pizza.
Ruth Amies, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman for Wales, said: “We’d love to see everyone in Wales sign up now and get ready to Walk All Over Cancer in March. Participants can take part on their own or with friends, family and colleagues.
“10,000 steps per day can seem like quite a challenge for many people. Some of us spend our lives transferring from seat to seat – whether that’s driving to work, sitting at a desk, or enjoying a box set on the sofa.
“But adopting small lifestyle changes – like taking the stairs or going for a stroll at lunchtime – can quickly up the step count.”
Smartphone health apps, pedometers, and wearable activity trackers can all count people’s steps.
She added: “Every day around 52 people are di- agnosed with cancer in Wales.
“Cancer survival in the UK has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.
“Taking part in Walk All Over Cancer is a great way for local people to support a great cause.
“Every stride taken, and every donation made, will help fund Cancer Research UK’s groundbreaking research to find ways to save more lives.”
To sign up visit www. cruk.org/walkallover