'I thought pain was down to a dodgy sausage before they gave me months to live'
A father-of-two who initially dismissed his stomach pain as the result of a "a dodgy sausage" from a family barbecue was later diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. Matt Eamer, 44, began experiencing severe discomfort just days after celebrating his son Alex's second birthday in September 2020.
Despite rushing to hospital and being given Buscopan, his condition didn't improve. His wife Sarah, 41, a doula, took him to East Surrey Hospital where tests revealed a significant blockage in his large intestine.
After undergoing surgery to remove the mass, it was confirmed as stage four bowel cancer. Matt endured six months of intense chemotherapy, but during a subsequent operation to remove part of his liver in March 2021, surgeons discovered the cancer had spread to his peritoneum – the lining of the abdominal wall.
Further tests revealed that Matt had a BRAF mutation – a genetic alteration that can lead to uncontrolled cell growth - and his cancer had developed and grown rapidly. Facing a prognosis of only months to live, Matt began taking newly approved immunotherapy drugs called Cetuximab infusion and pills named Emcorafenib. Remarkably, he responded well to the treatment and five years on, shows no signs of cancer while continuing to take the medication.
Matt, from Redhill, Surrey, who runs a design agency, said: "I was speaking to work colleagues over the first week or two and thought I'd cooked a dodgy sausage on the BBQ. My pain escalated quickly.
"I can still remember the person's voice when she phoned and said 'the plan for your diagnosis has changed'. They said 'we're talking months not years from a survival point of view'.
"Hitting five years with stage four is a rarity. You're not on your death bed, but you're forced to think about how you spend your time."
He revealed medics originally believed the growth could be non-cancerous. "They took out two thirds of my large intestine," he said. "A few days later they confirmed it was active cancer."
Following six months of chemotherapy, Matt was told on his 40th birthday by doctors that his treatment approach had altered. Matt has been taking four Encorafenib tablets each evening since and receives fortnightly Cetuximab infusions – aimed at prolonging his life by three to six months.
"It was a very dramatic movie-like point," he said. "It was a pivotal change, they said, 'we've gone in, it's gone further, we're going to try these new drugs'. My wife Sarah collapsed to the floor."
He started new medications approved just a few months beforehand, which target the aggressive spread of cancerous cells. Matt experienced an "unusual response" to the medication – with scans after six months revealing "any cancer" was absent – and continues to receive fortnightly infusions.
Despite requiring a 14-hour operation in December 2024 to extract tissue from his ribcage that carried the BRAF mutation and undergo HIPEC chemotherapy, Matt says medics are "back to view of we can't see anything, the scans are all showing things clear". "I'm never going to know what my future really looks like," he said.
"I continue to run my own business and the family. I remember four or five months ago listening to Virgin Radio and Chris Evans was interviewing Chris Hoy. He's really trying to challenge the perception of stage four.
"The reality is younger people are able to deal with treatments better and live longer, better, lives - even if it is stage four. The book he's written highlighting things like being presented with things like a devastating life-ending diagnosis, the cliche is you go for a big bucket list of swimming with dolphins and all that stuff.
"The reality is the 'bucket and spade things', the little moments. I spend more time looking at my kids' faces, taking them to a show or swimming in the sea; they are heightened. It means your ability to be present and focus upon what matters is heightened."
He's now planning to participate in a charity cycling event organised by Sir Chris Hoy in Glasgow on September 7, collecting money for Bowel Cancer UK. The ride will commemorate five years since his diagnosis.
"It's marking a milestone in a meaningful positive way," he said.
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Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I blamed stomach pain on a dodgy BBQ but then I was told I have just months to live
Dad Matt Eamer was diagnosed with one of the most common cancers in the UK - find out symptoms of the disease to look out for below SHOCK TWIST I blamed stomach pain on a dodgy BBQ but then I was told I have just months to live Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN Matt Eamer began experiencing stomach pain he put it down to eating "a dodgy sausage" at a family BBQ. But when the pain persisted, doctors discovered a "big blockage" in his intestine, which turned out to be stage 4 cancer. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Matt had been celebrating his son's birthday when he began experiencing stomach pain Credit: SWNS 6 When the pain persisted, doctors discovered a big blockage in his intestine, which turned out to be bowel cancer Credit: SWNS Matt, 44, had been celebrating his son Alex's second birthday in September 2020 when "spiky" pain began. The dad-of-two was rushed to hospital and was given Buscopan - an over the counter medication that helps stomach cramps - and sent home. But he continued to feel awful. His wife Sarah, 41, a doula, took him to East Surrey Hospital, Surrey, where tests confirmed the blockage in his large intestine. Just days later, following surgery to remove the mass, it was confirmed as stage four bowel cancer. Matt underwent six months of intense chemotherapy, but during surgery to cut away part of his liver, in March 2021, surgeons told him it had spread to his peritoneum - the lining of the abdominal wall. It was also discovered Matt had a BRAF mutation - a genetic alteration that can lead to uncontrolled cell growth - and his "cancer had formed and grown very quickly". Matt was "looking at months" left to live when he began taking newly approved immunotherapy drugs called Cetuximab infusion and pills called Emcorafenib. But he responded well, and five years on has no signs of cancer, and still takes the medicine. Matt, from Redhill, Surrey, who runs a design agency, said: "I was speaking to work colleagues over the first week or two and thought I'd cooked a dodgy sausage on the BBQ. "My pain escalated quickly. I thought my sore knee was a drunken injury but it was cancer at 27 "I can still remember the person's voice when she phoned and said 'the plan for your diagnosis has changed'. "They said 'we're talking months not years from a survival point of view'. "Hitting five years with stage four is a rarity. "You're not on your death bed but you're forced to think about how you spend your time". He said doctors initially thought the mass might be benign. "They took out two thirds of my large intestine," he said. "A few days later they confirmed it was active cancer." New life-extending drugs After chemotherapy, Matt was informed on his 40th birthday by doctors that his treatment plan had changed Matt has been taking four Encorafenib pills every evening since and has fortnightly infusions of Cetuximab - designed to extend his life by three to six months. "It was a very dramatic movie like point," he said. "It was a pivotal change, they said, 'we've gone in, it's gone further, we're going to try these new drugs. "My wife Sarah collapsed to the floor." He began the new drugs approved just a few months earlier, which target rapid growth of cancer cells. Matt had an "unusual response" to the drugs - with scans after six months not showing "any cancer"- and now has fortnightly infusions. Despite needing a 14-hour surgery in December 2024 to remove tissue in his ribcage that had the BRAF mutation and HIPEC chemotherapy, Matt says doctors are back to the view of not seeing anything, with scans showing things are clear. I'm never going to know what my future really looks like Matt Eamer "I'm never going to know what my future really looks like," he said. "I continue to run my own business and the family. "I remember four or five months ago listening to Virgin Radio and Chris Evans was interviewing Chris Hoy. "He's really trying to challenge the perception of stage four. "The reality is younger people are able to deal with treatments better and liver longer better lives even if it is stage four. "The book he's written highlighting things like being presented with things like a devastating life ending diagnosis, the cliche is you go for big bucket list of swimming dolphins and all that stuff. 6 Matt was told he had months to live because his cancer was stage 4 Credit: SWNS 6 He underwent 14-hour surgery, as well as chemotherapy, before doctors decided to try new drugs to prolong his life Credit: SWNS 6 Matt had an "unusual response" to the drugs and six months later scans showed things were clear Credit: SWNS 6 He's now taking part in a charity cycle to raise funds for Bowel Cancer UK Credit: SWNS "The reality is the 'bucket and spade things', the little moments. "I spend more time looking at my kids faces taking them to a show or swimming in the sea, they are heightened. "It means your ability to be present and focus upon what matters is heightened". He is now set to take part in a charity cycle set up by Sir Chris Hoy in Glasgow on September 7 raising funds for Bowel Cancer UK. It will mark five years since he was diagnosed. "It's marking a milestone in a meaningful positive way," he said. To donate, visit his GoFundMe.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
I blamed stomach pain on a dodgy BBQ but then I was told I have just months to live
WHEN Matt Eamer began experiencing stomach pain he put it down to eating "a dodgy sausage" at a family BBQ. But when the pain persisted, doctors discovered a "big blockage" in his intestine, which turned out to be stage 4 cancer. 6 6 Matt, 44, had been celebrating his son Alex's second birthday in September 2020 when "spiky" pain began. The dad-of-two was rushed to hospital and was given Buscopan - an over the counter medication that helps stomach cramps - and sent home. But he continued to feel awful. His wife Sarah, 41, a doula, took him to East Surrey Hospital, Surrey, where tests confirmed the blockage in his large intestine. Just days later, following surgery to remove the mass, it was confirmed as stage four bowel cancer. Matt underwent six months of intense chemotherapy, but during surgery to cut away part of his liver, in March 2021, surgeons told him it had spread to his peritoneum - the lining of the abdominal wall. It was also discovered Matt had a BRAF mutation - a genetic alteration that can lead to uncontrolled cell growth - and his "cancer had formed and grown very quickly". Matt was "looking at months" left to live when he began taking newly approved immunotherapy drugs called Cetuximab infusion and pills called Emcorafenib. But he responded well, and five years on has no signs of cancer, and still takes the medicine. Matt, from Redhill, Surrey, who runs a design agency, said: "I was speaking to work colleagues over the first week or two and thought I'd cooked a dodgy sausage on the BBQ. "My pain escalated quickly. I thought my sore knee was a drunken injury but it was cancer at 27 "I can still remember the person's voice when she phoned and said 'the plan for your diagnosis has changed'. "They said 'we're talking months not years from a survival point of view'. "Hitting five years with stage four is a rarity. "You're not on your death bed but you're forced to think about how you spend your time". He said doctors initially thought the mass might be benign. "They took out two thirds of my large intestine," he said. "A few days later they confirmed it was active cancer." New life-extending drugs After chemotherapy, Matt was informed on his 40th birthday by doctors that his treatment plan had changed Matt has been taking four Encorafenib pills every evening since and has fortnightly infusions of Cetuximab - designed to extend his life by three to six months. "It was a very dramatic movie like point," he said. "It was a pivotal change, they said, 'we've gone in, it's gone further, we're going to try these new drugs. "My wife Sarah collapsed to the floor." He began the new drugs approved just a few months earlier, which target rapid growth of cancer cells. Matt had an "unusual response" to the drugs - with scans after six months not showing "any cancer"- and now has fortnightly infusions. Despite needing a 14-hour surgery in December 2024 to remove tissue in his ribcage that had the BRAF mutation and HIPEC chemotherapy, Matt says doctors are back to the view of not seeing anything, with scans showing things are clear. "I'm never going to know what my future really looks like," he said. "I continue to run my own business and the family. "I remember four or five months ago listening to Virgin Radio and Chris Evans was interviewing Chris Hoy. "He's really trying to challenge the perception of stage four. "The reality is younger people are able to deal with treatments better and liver longer better lives even if it is stage four. "The book he's written highlighting things like being presented with things like a devastating life ending diagnosis, the cliche is you go for big bucket list of swimming dolphins and all that stuff. 6 6 6 6 "The reality is the 'bucket and spade things', the little moments. "I spend more time looking at my kids faces taking them to a show or swimming in the sea, they are heightened. "It means your ability to be present and focus upon what matters is heightened". He is now set to take part in a charity cycle set up by Sir Chris Hoy in Glasgow on September 7 raising funds for Bowel Cancer UK. It will mark five years since he was diagnosed. "It's marking a milestone in a meaningful positive way," he said. To donate, visit his GoFundMe. What are the red flag warning signs of bowel cancer? IT'S the fourth most common cancer in the UK, the second deadliest - yet bowel cancer can be cured, if you catch it early enough. While screening is one way of ensuring early diagnosis, there are things everyone can do to reduce their risk of the deadly disease. Being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, spotting any changes and checking with your GP can prove a life-saver. If you notice any of the signs, don't be embarrassed and don't ignore them. Doctors are used to seeing lots of patients with bowel problems. The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include: Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo A change in your normal toilet habits - going more frequently for example Pain or a lump in your tummy Extreme tiredness Losing weight Tumours in the bowel typically bleed, which can cause a shortage of red blood cells, known as anaemia. It can cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness. In some cases bowel cancer can block the bowel, this is known as a bowel obstruction. Other signs include: Gripping pains in the abdomen Feeling bloated Constipation and being unable to pass wind Being sick Feeling like you need to strain - like doing a number two - but after you've been to the loo While these are all signs to watch out for, experts warn the most serious is noticing blood in your stools. But, they warn it can prove tricky for doctors to diagnose the disease, because in most cases these symptoms will be a sign of a less serious disease.
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I thought pain was down to a dodgy sausage before they gave me months to live'
Matt Eamer, 44, from Surrey, was diagnosed after he thought he had eaten a 'dodgy sausage' at a BBQ A father-of-two who initially dismissed his stomach pain as the result of a "a dodgy sausage" from a family barbecue was later diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. Matt Eamer, 44, began experiencing severe discomfort just days after celebrating his son Alex's second birthday in September 2020. Despite rushing to hospital and being given Buscopan, his condition didn't improve. His wife Sarah, 41, a doula, took him to East Surrey Hospital where tests revealed a significant blockage in his large intestine. After undergoing surgery to remove the mass, it was confirmed as stage four bowel cancer. Matt endured six months of intense chemotherapy, but during a subsequent operation to remove part of his liver in March 2021, surgeons discovered the cancer had spread to his peritoneum – the lining of the abdominal wall. Further tests revealed that Matt had a BRAF mutation – a genetic alteration that can lead to uncontrolled cell growth - and his cancer had developed and grown rapidly. Facing a prognosis of only months to live, Matt began taking newly approved immunotherapy drugs called Cetuximab infusion and pills named Emcorafenib. Remarkably, he responded well to the treatment and five years on, shows no signs of cancer while continuing to take the medication. Matt, from Redhill, Surrey, who runs a design agency, said: "I was speaking to work colleagues over the first week or two and thought I'd cooked a dodgy sausage on the BBQ. My pain escalated quickly. "I can still remember the person's voice when she phoned and said 'the plan for your diagnosis has changed'. They said 'we're talking months not years from a survival point of view'. "Hitting five years with stage four is a rarity. You're not on your death bed, but you're forced to think about how you spend your time." He revealed medics originally believed the growth could be non-cancerous. "They took out two thirds of my large intestine," he said. "A few days later they confirmed it was active cancer." Following six months of chemotherapy, Matt was told on his 40th birthday by doctors that his treatment approach had altered. Matt has been taking four Encorafenib tablets each evening since and receives fortnightly Cetuximab infusions – aimed at prolonging his life by three to six months. "It was a very dramatic movie-like point," he said. "It was a pivotal change, they said, 'we've gone in, it's gone further, we're going to try these new drugs'. My wife Sarah collapsed to the floor." He started new medications approved just a few months beforehand, which target the aggressive spread of cancerous cells. Matt experienced an "unusual response" to the medication – with scans after six months revealing "any cancer" was absent – and continues to receive fortnightly infusions. Despite requiring a 14-hour operation in December 2024 to extract tissue from his ribcage that carried the BRAF mutation and undergo HIPEC chemotherapy, Matt says medics are "back to view of we can't see anything, the scans are all showing things clear". "I'm never going to know what my future really looks like," he said. "I continue to run my own business and the family. I remember four or five months ago listening to Virgin Radio and Chris Evans was interviewing Chris Hoy. He's really trying to challenge the perception of stage four. "The reality is younger people are able to deal with treatments better and live longer, better, lives - even if it is stage four. The book he's written highlighting things like being presented with things like a devastating life-ending diagnosis, the cliche is you go for a big bucket list of swimming with dolphins and all that stuff. "The reality is the 'bucket and spade things', the little moments. I spend more time looking at my kids' faces, taking them to a show or swimming in the sea; they are heightened. It means your ability to be present and focus upon what matters is heightened." He's now planning to participate in a charity cycling event organised by Sir Chris Hoy in Glasgow on September 7, collecting money for Bowel Cancer UK. The ride will commemorate five years since his diagnosis. "It's marking a milestone in a meaningful positive way," he said.
