Home / Health / Plasterer's 'Backache' Revealed as Aggressive Cancer
Plasterer's 'Backache' Revealed as Aggressive Cancer
23 Jan
Summary
- Plasterer Kris Cooke was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer.
- He was given a terminal diagnosis with less than a year to live.
- The couple married in his hospital room before his condition worsened.
Kris Cooke, a 46-year-old plasterer from Erith, southeast London, received a devastating diagnosis of advanced pancreatic cancer. Initially experiencing back pain and shortness of breath, he delayed seeking medical help, attributing his discomfort to his physically demanding job. X-rays revealed a collapsed lung, blood clots around his heart, and a lump on his pancreas, which was later confirmed as aggressive pancreatic cancer.
His friend, Louise Comiskey, described the news as a shock, noting Cooke's healthy lifestyle as a vegan who practiced yoga. Tragically, the cancer has since spread to his liver, reducing his life expectancy to 6-12 months. In a poignant moment, Cooke married his long-term girlfriend, Maria, in his hospital room.
Cooke is currently undergoing chemotherapy to prolong his life, though he is experiencing significant fatigue and pain managed by morphine. A GoFundMe page has been established by friends to assist with funeral expenses and support his family, having already raised over £5,500. His loved ones are urging others, particularly those in physically demanding professions, to seek medical attention for any persistent aches or pains.
Pancreatic cancer, often called a 'silent killer,' affects around 10,500 people annually in the UK, with a high mortality rate due to late diagnoses. Current survival rates are low, with less than 11% of patients living for five years, and no early detection tests available.
