Tommy Walsh's frightening health history from cancer scares to 'tumour in lung'

26 January 2024 , 07:57

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Tommy Walsh has opened up about a recent cancer scare (Image: David Parry/ PA)

Tommy Walsh has revealed he's set to have an emergency appointment over tumour fears, and it's not the first time he's had to contend with a cancer scare.

The Ground Force legend has shared a major health update with fans at head and neck cancer charity Swallows, announcing that he will be attending an emergency medical appointment in London. According to Tommy: "I had a chest infection, had to go to the doctor and they sent me up to the hospital for a CT scan and they think there's a three-centimetre tumour in the lung."

Trying to keep upbeat, the 67-year-old builder, who has not yet disclosed the results of the scan, continued: "I've tried to keep cheerful and you've cheered me up today, and thank you for letting me reminisce and talk. I was weighing up whether or not to tell you about this but I felt it would be unfair if I was to leave this and I didn't tell you. That's why I'm going to have to leave after this talk and I won't be able to join you for a few beers tonight."

As Tommy deals with more health woes, we look back on his previous diagnoses, including one he didn't even know he could get.

Breast cancer awareness

Tommy wasn't even aware that men could get breast cancer (Ex)

Before finding two lumps on his chest in 2002, Tommy hadn't even been aware that men could get breast cancer, and had inititally only booked an appointment as an 'afterthought'. After being made aware of his family history of cancer, a doctor directed Tommy to a consultant at Whitechapel's Royal London Hospital, where his sister had previously undergone a lumpectomy to remove cancerous and normal breast tissue at the age of 31.

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During an interview with the Mirror in 2013, Tommy said: "I just buried myself in my work and then went along for the day surgery where the lumps were removed under a general anaesthetic. It was only then that it sort of hit me that this could actually be serious and I could have breast cancer, like my relatives."

Thankfully, Tommy's lumps proved to be benign, however, this experience proved to be somewhat of a wake-up call for him.

Throat cancer scare

After finding a cancerous lump in his throat, Tommy went on to share his experiences for an awareness-raising campaign (PA)

During an 'unrelated' GP appointment, Tommy found a cancerous lump in his throat, and went on to open up about his experiences for a 2022 NHS cancer awareness campaign. Tommy shared: "I went to my GP about an unrelated issue and while I was there, he discovered this lump in my throat that he was a bit concerned about. He said it may be nothing but that he would rather I went and got it checked and, unfortunately, it turned out to be cancerous."

He continued: "I had to go in straight away and have surgery to remove it. I am now fully recovered and even back playing football. If something in your body doesn't feel right contact your GP practice and book an appointment. Whatever the result, the NHS is here to help."

Julia Banim