Former Wales rugby international Matthew J Watkins has spoken of his ongoing battle with cancer after revealing the disease has spread from his pelvis to his spine.
The 38-year-old Newport-born centre was first diagnosed with a rare type of cancer back in May 2013 after originally putting the soreness in his back down to the hip injury which had led to his retirement from the game in 2011.
He was referred to a specialist at Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital for an MRI scan which picked up the cancer and a formal diagnosis was made.
Since then the popular midfielder, who starred in midfield for the Scarlets and Dragons as well as playing in the Premiership for Gloucester, has been undergoing treatment as well as taking part in fundraising bike rides for Velindre.
But in February this year, the centre, who made his Wales debut in the 2003 Six Nations clash with Italy in Rome, was told the disease had spread from his right pelvis to his spine and his treatment at the time wasn’t effective enough.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... y-13389338
Good luck, Matthew Watkins
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- rowan
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Good luck, Matthew Watkins
If they're good enough to play at World Cups, why not in between?
- Sandydragon
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Re: Good luck, Matthew Watkins
Genuinely sad news and all the best for him in fighting that.
- ALunpg
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Re: Good luck, Matthew Watkins
It's things like this that put it all into perspectIve...wish him the strength to battle through this difficult times.
Ex prop Ex coach still a Welshman and enjoying retirement
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Re: Good luck, Matthew Watkins
Amen to all that, hope he's getting more effective treatment now.ALunpg wrote:It's things like this that put it all into perspectIve...wish him the strength to battle through this difficult times.