Former footballer Joe Thompson, 35, is diagnosed with cancer for the third time
Former Rochdale midfielder Joe Thompson has revealed that he has received a cancer diagnosis for a third time.
The 35-year-old was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013 and recovered before the cancer returned four years later. He went on to recover a second time before calling time on his career in 2019.
'[It is] far from ideal and it's come back quite aggressive, so stage four,' he told BBC Radio Manchester.
'[The] only positive is it is the same cancer as what I've had previously, but the issue for me this time is its gone on to my lungs, so breathing is a problem, sleeping is difficult and even talking sometimes can be quite hard.
'Definitely the fight is still inside, nothing changes, but actually facing it for the third time really hurts because you know what you are going to have to go through.'
Joe Thompson has revealed that he has been diagnosed with cancer for a third time
Thompson made over 200 appearances for Rochdale before his retirement in 2019
Thompson made 203 appearances for Rochdale but only one in his final campaign with the side 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 tried to build his match fitness following treatment.
He returned to Rochdale from Carlisle in 2016 but the disease soon returned, requiring 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.
Thompson began in the Manchester United academy before embarking on a professional career that included spells at Tranmere, Bury, Wrexham and two stints at Rochdale
Thompson pictured his wife Chantelle in 2016. The couple have two daughters, 11-year-old Thailula and AthenaRae
'It's weighing up all the options and trying to understand what do you want to get out of life?' He added. 'Ultimately I want a quality of life where I can be like everybody else, play with my children, be as active as possible and enjoy life," he continued.
'The problem with a third diagnosis is it's like the grim reaper, here I am again. Then you start to think of all the emotions.
'I'd be lying if I said there's not days where I doubt certain things, but I've always said I will never, ever give up, I'll just get beaten if it does get on top of me.'
Related articles
The unstoppable duo of Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos
CANNES, France (AP) — Before a journalist has even lobbed a question, Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimo2024-05-21Crawford works 6 solid innings and the Red Sox deal the struggling Pirates a 5th straight loss
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kutter Crawford allowed one run in six strong innings and the Boston Red Sox defea2024-05-21Gigi and Bella Hadid's Palestinian
The father of Gigi and Bella Hadid has reportedly bombarded a New York congressman with apparent hom2024-05-21Crawford works 6 solid innings and the Red Sox deal the struggling Pirates a 5th straight loss
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kutter Crawford allowed one run in six strong innings and the Boston Red Sox defea2024-05-21Uber and Lyft say they'll stay in Minnesota after Legislature passes driver pay compromise
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Uber and Lyft plan to keep operating in Minnesota after the state Legislature2024-05-21My 'sinus infection' turned out to be a one in a million nasal cancer at just 28
A 28 year-old California woman has described the shock of being diagnosed with a deadly sinus cancer2024-05-21
atest comment