From Indigestion to a Devastating Diagnosis
A father-of-three who brushed off persistent digestive problems as simple indigestion has revealed how he was later diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer – and initially told he had just nine months to live.
Lawrence Fox, 67, from Canterbury, Kent, began struggling to keep food down in July 2024, after what he believed was a routine stomach issue. But what followed was a rapid deterioration in his health that would ultimately lead to a life–changing diagnosis.
He said: 'I wasn't digesting my food properly – it was basically just coming straight out of me. I also had the runs – within a couple of hours of eating anything, I needed the toilet.'
Misdiagnosis and Medical Investigations
At first, doctors believed his symptoms were linked to diverticulitis – a condition he had suffered from previously, in which the intestine becomes inflamed or infected. He was prescribed antibiotics, but there was no improvement.
When symptoms persisted, he was referred for an endoscopy in August – a procedure which involves a camera being inserted into the digestive tract via the throat – but nothing was found. It would take until November for a scan to finally uncover the cause.
During this time, Mr Fox was also dealing with the serious illness of his mother, who was dying from sepsis. He admits he partly attributed his own weight loss – around a stone – to the stress of the situation.
'At the time, I was more worried about my mum than I was about myself. I was just glad I was getting it checked out,' he said.
The Shocking Diagnosis and Treatment Journey
But in early December, shortly after his mother passed away, came the devastating news: doctors had discovered a 75mm tumour. He was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer and told he may have just nine months to live.
The tumour was deemed inoperable due to its position near a major artery, meaning chemotherapy was his only option.
'That wakes you up,' he said. 'My thought was – they obviously think I can take this chemo, and they wouldn't be doing it if they didn't think there was a chance. So I thought, if they're going to give it to me, I've got to give it my all.'
According to NHS figures, fewer than 10 per cent of patients with the same diagnosis survive beyond five years.
Remarkable Recovery and Return to Normalcy
Remarkably, after 12 gruelling rounds of chemotherapy – often lasting nine hours a day – the tumour has shrunk dramatically to just 15mm, and his cancer is no longer classified as stage four. Initially given just nine months to live, Mr Fox is now getting back to everyday life.
A keen golfer, he has even returned to the course, adapting his swing with help from a golf professional to accommodate a catheter fitted during treatment.
His son Jamie, 40, who lives with cystic fibrosis, is now preparing to run the Brighton Marathon to raise funds in support of his father's condition. Mr Fox has also been getting back to everyday life, including pilates, and hopes to return to swimming with support from Pilgrims Hospices.
Urgent Warning and Broader Context
Now, he is urging others not to ignore persistent digestive symptoms.
'If you don't feel right and it's to do with digestion – if you keep getting indigestion or your bowel movements change for no apparent reason – get it checked out,' he said. 'It might be something, it might be nothing. But it doesn't cost you anything – just make the phone call.'
Pancreatic cancer is the 10th most common cancer - with roughly 11,000 people diagnosed annually. It's also the fifth biggest cancer killer, responsible for almost 10,000 deaths per year.
Getting older is one of the biggest risk factors with almost half of cases are diagnosed in over-75s – and it is rare in under-40s. Despite this, pancreatic cancer incidence is rising more rapidly in younger age groups – particularly in women.
The increase appears to be driven by pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the most common and aggressive form of the disease. Some experts suggest this may reflect better detection of smaller, earlier-stage tumours. However, others point to rising rates of obesity, diabetes and smoking as potential drivers.
