Andrew Walker opens up about his shock cancer diagnosis

Andrew Walker, of Baildon, was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the young age of 30 a few weeks ago.

The Bradford Dudley Hill RLFC captain had half his bowel removed and is now anxiously waiting for the results of various tests.

He announced the news to his teammates before amazingly taking to the pitch himself.

"If it was the last time I was going to play, I wanted it on my terms," he said.

"I did not want to be defined by cancer."

Mr Walker first noticed something was not right when he kept picking up severe injuries from "seemingly innocuous challenges".

One incident saw him left with a broken rib and punctured lung.

At the same time, he was feeling quite fatigued but put this down to a busy lifestyle.

It was when he injured his hand that further tests took place.

"He just seemed incredibly susceptible to getting pretty bad injuries", said Bradford Dudley Hill club secretary Mark Safranauskas.

"It was that last one which led to them finding a tumour in his bowel.

"Once he found out, he strapped his hand up and played a game within a few days of being diagnosed. That's the sort of person he is.

"He is very defiant and refused to have a condition define him."

Thoughts then turned to how the club could help Mr Walker and his family through their struggles.

A charity nine-a-side tournament at Dudley Hill's ground will take place on Friday, September 27.

The event has been backed by half a dozen local rugby league clubs, of which Mr Walker is super thankful, given how tough this last month or so has been.

"I have had to keep the boys (Oliver, five, and Joseph, three) away from it all," he said, speaking about the impact the diagnosis has had on his family.

"My wife has been really good. She has held the family together whilst I have been in hospital or recovering.

"I massively appreciate it. It takes that burden off.

"One of the first things you think of when you are told you have got cancer is 'what about my family?'

"So it really takes the stress away from thinking about the mortgage and everything else." 

The boys attended Mr Walker's most recent game (Image: UGC) Mr Safranauskas added: "There has been an incredible response from the other local rugby league clubs.

"They are your rivals on the pitch. You can be battering them left, right, and centre on the field, but soon as it goes off the field there is genuine care and a proper community.

"Rival clubs have already been trying to raise their own funds for him. Clubs like Wibsey Warriors who are probably considered our main rivals these days.

"They have all supported the tournament incredibly, even rugby union clubs will be down there."

Mr Walker wanted to thank his teammates for the support shown since he revealed the awful news.

"It was a lot of shock," he said.

"I've known most of the lads for 20 years so obviously for them it was quite upsetting.

"They put their arm around me and tried to look after me as best as they can. 

"I am captain of the first team so I still have my responsibilities. It helps that I have a lot of support around me. We are a tight-knit unit.

"All my teammates have just been supporting me the best they can."

Mr Walker is keen to raise awareness around the symptoms of cancer and feels telling his story can do that.

He added: "If you are aware of the signs and symptoms, you can go for a blood test and get treated if needed.

"At least you know and can get it treated rather than leaving it until it might be too late. I would not want that for anyone.

"If just one person notices the symptoms and gets checked, I would be more than happy.

"One person getting sorted and fixed is better than nobody."