A 22-year-old fitness enthusiast who attributed persistent ankle pain to triathlon training has had his leg amputated after the discomfort was found to be caused by bone cancer. Ben Hewlett, from Andover, Hampshire, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma after his right ankle began to ache while he prepared for an endurance race in June 2025, leaving him unable to stand on it.
Hewlett had only recently resumed running following a two-year hiatus and dismissed the pain as a consequence of his time away from exercise and his regular gym visits. The intermittent pain, which he said worsened at night and grew increasingly severe, was accompanied by swelling in his ankle.
Diagnosis and Treatment
After the pain failed to subside, the project manager apprentice visited his GP in November 2025, where an X-ray led to a referral for an MRI. Expecting a fracture, Hewlett was instead told he had osteosarcoma. Doctors reportedly said there was no way to save his leg after a biopsy showed the four-inch tumour had 'taken over' the bone.
Hewlett underwent four rounds of chemotherapy followed by a four-hour operation in February 2026 to remove his right leg below the knee. He now uses a wheelchair and crutches while waiting to learn whether he is cancer-free.
Shock and Acceptance
Reflecting on his experience, Hewlett said: "I had on and off pain. It was easy to write off as a sports injury from running. It wasn't 'til October it started to be really bad, it was really on and off. It would be fine and the next moment I wouldn't be able to walk at all, it became worse and worse." He added that his ankle was growing in size, which was the tumour itself.
He described the moment of diagnosis as a shock, saying: "They told me it was osteosarcoma. It hadn't crossed my mind, I was quite surprised. It was a shock. It didn't hit me until I went for a CT scan straight after." Hewlett admitted he wanted to 'disappear' after learning he would lose his leg, thinking about the activities he would no longer be able to do.
Recovery and Awareness
Hewlett finished chemotherapy in late August and is awaiting test results expected in mid-October. He said it will take at least two more years before he can return to exercise, and he has created a GoFundMe page to help cover the cost of a prosthetic leg, which he said can range from £8,000 to £15,000.
Now raising awareness of bone cancer symptoms, Hewlett urged others to seek medical advice: "Any pain that lasts longer than four weeks, like a bony ache at night, and unexplained weight loss are generally the symptoms for bone cancer. It will probably take another couple of years to be athletic again. If something doesn't feel right, go and see your GP."
