From Back Pain to a Life-Altering Diagnosis
A young man who dismissed his persistent back pain as a simple consequence of his job in a pub has received a devastating diagnosis of an incurable and extremely rare cancer. Roy Mugera, 31 from Dagenham, initially believed his discomfort was from the physical demands of his work, which involved carrying heavy crates and replacing beer kegs.
Roy's ordeal began at the end of 2022. The pain became so severe that it robbed him of sleep, forcing him to spend nights propped up in a gaming chair, on the sofa, or in a makeshift seated position across his bed. He also noticed a worrying lump on his side that seemed to move up and down. Despite two visits to his GP and relying on over-the-counter painkillers like Paracetamol, he found no relief.
A Long Road to the Truth
"At first, I didn't take the pain seriously," Roy admitted. His work as a bartender provided a logical explanation. However, as the months passed, his condition deteriorated. The pain intensified, and the lump on his left diaphragm grew, accompanied by cramps and stomach issues.
In early 2023, Roy started a new office job, hoping a change would help. When the pain persisted, he booked a massage. Tragically, the session left him vomiting and unable to walk, leading to an emergency hospital visit. A scan initially suggested a muscle spasm. It was only on his third GP visit, when the lump was properly assessed, that he was referred for specialist scans and a biopsy at University College London Hospitals (UCLH).
The results confirmed Roy's worst fears: he had synovial sarcoma in his kidney. Doctors delivered the crushing news that his cancer was incurable, though manageable.
A Gruelling Treatment Journey and a Plea for Awareness
Roy's treatment has been incredibly challenging. He underwent intense chemotherapy but had to stop due to severe side effects, including two life-threatening episodes of sepsis. He also had minimally invasive lung surgery (microablation) to target cancer that had spread. After a break, his symptoms worsened, leading to radiotherapy in March 2024, which successfully shrank his tumour from 21cm to just 1cm.
However, in a cruel turn, the cancer fought back. The tumour regrew to 19cm and spread to both lungs. Roy is now on a targeted chemotherapy regimen aimed at his lungs and the primary tumour.
Learning that his cancer is one of only 79 cases diagnosed each year in England made Roy feel profoundly isolated. "It didn't sit well with me because I was super scared," he said. "I wondered what the best form of treatment would be. I also didn’t have anyone to talk to... It was such a scary moment."
Connection came through the charity Sarcoma UK, which introduced him to support groups. "The support groups have helped me a lot," Roy shared. "I enjoy the sessions, hearing other people's stories and just talking about stuff that you wouldn't necessarily talk about with your friends."
Roy now has a vital message for others: "If you're experiencing pain... and if the pain is consistent and painkillers are not doing it for you, you should consider visiting your GP. Don't wait until you see a lump." He also urges people to be kind, recalling an incident on a bus where his 'Cancer on Board' badge was ignored.
Dr Sorrel Bickley of Sarcoma UK highlighted groundbreaking research funded by the charity, including work on targeted therapies that could offer future patients more precise and less gruelling treatments than what Roy has endured.
