Leeds United football legend Dominic Matteo has paid tribute to the 'life-saving' team of clinical researchers treating him for brain cancer.
Former LUFC captain Dominic, who is speaking on World Cancer Day, was diagnosed with a rare, cancerous brain tumour called an anaplastic ependymoma in 2019.
He underwent critical surgery at Leeds General Infirmary and several months of radiotherapy before getting the news that his condition was stable. He now has regular scans at the hospital to monitor his condition.
Since then, he has dedicated his time to speaking about the impact brain cancer has had on his life and the amazing team of Leeds surgeons and oncologists who care for him.
His tribute comes as World Cancer Day is marked across the globe on Wednesday February 4, an event which highlights how sustained scientific research, clinical trials, and innovation directly impact survival and quality of life for people with cancer.
And it follows a government announcement of an increased focus on brain cancer and other rare cancers in its National Cancer Plan.
Dominic said: "Brain cancer research hasn't always had enough support - only 1% of all the money spent on cancer. It's a low number for something that's such a big killer. It's great to hear that more funding is going to brain cancer research - I know that they will find a cure for it someday."
He was treated by Ryan Mathew, Associate Professor at the University of Leeds and Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and Professor Susan Short, a clinical oncologist and adult brain tumour researcher.
Professor Short is co-director of the Leeds Cancer Research Centre, a clinical research partnership between the University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
She said: "Dominic's experience highlights the importance of research into rare brain tumours. Without the understanding of how these tumours develop and respond to treatment, we would not be able to achieve the outcomes that patients such as Dominic see today. Rare cancers are a key area of focus for Leeds Cancer Research Centre, and we hope that our work will help many more people like Dominic live long, happy and fulfilling lives too.
"The links between clinical researchers like me and Ryan, and the laboratory scientists in Leeds who work on brain tumours, is a huge advantage. Leeds is unique in having research embedded throughout the entire patient-care pathway, from diagnosis through treatment and patient experience."
Mr Mathew said: "Dominic's kind of tumour is extremely rare, and it's rarer still for it to be diagnosed in adulthood. Rare cancers can be overlooked in research funding, for many complex reasons. But understanding how these cancers develop is key to unlocking new treatments that can help people like Dominic in the future. That's why Leeds Cancer Research Centre is focusing on the genetics of cancer, providing new insights into the biology of disease and developing new approaches to detection and personalised medicine."
Dominic's story in his own words
"My doctors think I lived my whole life and played through my football career with a tumour lying dormant in my head.
"Then late in 2019 something happened to the tumour. I was due to fly to Singapore to play for Liverpool in a veterans' match against Manchester United. I had a health check and ended up collapsing in the MRI machine.
"Looking back, there were warning signs, but I didn't think anything of them. I was working for Sky Sports, a job I loved. I was driving to Hull to do Soccer Saturday, and I bumped the car, which was really unusual for me. I noticed my eyesight was a bit different, but I thought nothing of it and went to do Soccer Saturday. But when a goal went in, I had to ask the cameraman who scored, and that was really strange because I always knew all the players' names.
"Another time I had to pull over while driving to be sick, which I never am. I just thought I was a bit ill - I didn't think it was anything like this.
"My health check showed I needed a brain scan at Calderdale Royal Infirmary. As soon as I went to get into the machine, I felt weird. It felt like something had changed – and then I collapsed in the machine. When they took me out, I didn't know what I was doing. They rushed me straight to Leeds General Infirmary.
"There was Dr Ryan Mathew and a few more doctors, and they were saying, this needs to be done now. I was fighting for my life from that moment.
"Ryan saved my life. They removed the tumour and I had radiotherapy to get rid of any remaining cancer cells. Ryan was very proud of my scar – and I am too. I see people with the same scar, and I know what they are going through.
"My oncologist was Professor Susan Short, who is fantastic. Both Susan and Ryan have been so good and kind to me. They were both there when I was told the news that I had a brain tumour. Both me and my wife Jessica really struggled with that. My kids don't know the full extent of it, but I tell them they can ask me anything they want. Luca knows my vision isn't good, so he guides me when we are out together.
"And everyone at the hospital was so supportive and kind. Without that support network, of family and friends and doctors and nurses I'd be in no man's land. I've had a lot of support through football. It's a community.
"I'm six years on now. I have regular scans, and it's not very nice in the MRI machine but I just think about my wife and kids when I'm in there to distract myself, because it has to be done. My last scan was stable, which is all I can ask for. Every time they are stable, I go and celebrate. I have a scan coming up soon and if it's stable, I will be celebrating.
"Now I go all over the world telling my story. I want to share my story - if it helps one person then it's worth it. And when you're busy, you don't think about things as much. And if I'm helping other people, I'm helping myself.
"After something like this, you can't quite do what you used to do, and it's how you accept that. I always say, I'm lucky to still be here. I don't know what's around the corner, but I'll just keep going. I'm taking one step at a time."
Dominic, 51, is married to Jessica and has three children, daughters Luisa, 20 and Elin, 16, and son Luca, 12. Alongside his regular speaking events, Dominic co-owns BD Sales Consultancy and works as an ambassador for the company alongside his former teammates Neil 'Razor' Ruddock and Ian Harte.
