A police officer feared he might never run again after being diagnosed with two different types of cancer within just two months – but he went onto completing Ironman this year.

John Haywood, from Bury, was devastated when he was diagnosed with a rare sarcoma on his ankle in September 2019. Then a month later came the bombshell that he also had Hodgkin lymphoma – a type blood cancer.

The 49-year-old had two operations on his ankle as well as intensive radiotherapy to treat his Hodgkin lymphoma at The Christie at Oldham.

He now has six-monthly check-ups on his ankle.

John said: “Initially, I thought I had a mild eczema on my ankle or a bruise from when I’d been training, but it just didn’t go away. Eventually my wife, Claire, got me to go and get it checked out.

“I was offered a biopsy which I thought would rule out anything untoward. I turned up for the results expecting to be told I had nothing to worry about but instead I was told I had cancer!”

Things got worse for John when a follow up scan revealed some of his lymph nodes (glands) were enlarged too.

A further biopsy revealed he also had blood cancer too.

He said: “I was pretty devastated. Then they also explained the surgery I needed to tackle the cancer meant I might not be able to run again.

The Bolton News: John during his treatmentJohn during his treatment (Image: THE CHRISTIE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST)

“I’ve always been really active. The fact that that could be taken away from me felt awful.

“We’d also begun some extensive building work on our house so my wife and daughter – who was only eight at the time – had to move into temporary accommodation over Christmas while I had my treatment.

“Then just as I was getting over my treatment lockdown started.”

During lockdown, John slowly began to build his strength back up, buying a second-hand bike.

He got stronger and stronger and met others at a local support group, the Move Against Cancer Charity, who were also taking part in exercise to help with their cancer diagnosis.

By April 2022, John was able to complete a massive charity cycle for Move from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

John found the surgery for his cancer had damaged his Achilles tendon meant he couldn’t sprint fast, he found running slowly and steadily was possible.

So, he started to run again. Eventually he had the idea of doing Ironman UK in Bolton, to raise more for charity.

In July – which is also Sarcoma Awareness Month – he completed Ironman UK in Bolton in 13 hours and 33 minutes and cheered on by friends and family.

The course was made up of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a marathon 26.22-mile run – a total of 140.6 miles.

John hopes his story will encourage other men to get checked out if they notice any symptoms that concern them.

The Bolton News: John with his family, daughter Ellie and wife ClaireJohn with his family, daughter Ellie and wife Claire (Image: THE CHRISTIE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST)

Mr Amit Kumar, a consultant surgeon and clinical lead from Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, said: “It’s great to see what John has achieved by completing this gruelling Ironman challenge.

“If you have a lump – particularly one that’s getting bigger over time – or another symptom you are worried about that’s not right for you, then please do book an appointment with your GP.

“Although it’s much more likely you have a non-cancerous condition, such as a cyst (fluid under the skin) or lipoma (fatty lump), it’s important to have your symptoms checked.”

Soft tissue sarcomas often have no obvious symptoms in the early stages.

They can cause symptoms as they get bigger or spread. The symptoms depend on where the cancer develops.

For example:

  • swelling under the skin may cause a painless lump that cannot easily be moved around and gets bigger over time.
  • swelling in the tummy (abdomen) may cause abdominal pain, a persistent feeling of fullness and constipation.
  • swelling near the lungs may cause a cough or breathlessness.

John added: “If you have any health concerns it’s always important to check them out with your GP.

“I’m also a big advocate of the importance of getting moving again after your cancer treatment. That might be a 10-minute walk, that turns into a jog, but it will motivate you. I’ve found that a massive help as a coping mechanism.”

John has now raised more than £2,500 for the Move Against Cancer Charity.

For more information about sarcoma cancer visit the NHS website.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno.