Sir Colin Meads' Has Terminal Pancreatic Cancer

Sir Colin Meads' battle with pancreatic cancer is terminal, family have confirmed.

The legendary lock, who turned 80 in June, was this week diagnosed with the disease after six months of ill-health.

Last month Sir Colin was admitted to Waikato Hospital over concerns with a kidney illness.

Sir Colin said the diagnosis has been "tough" on his family.

"It's bloody hard for Verna, the kids and grandkids."

Sir Colin's sister-in-law Beryl Meads told the Herald today his battle was terminal. However, he will still put up a big fight, she said.

"It's terminal but as for how long [he's got], well everybody is different of course, and Colin will fight it, because that's Colin. But some things you can't change."

She said they found about the diagnosis about a month ago.

Beryl Meads said it took doctors quite a while to discover what was going on as he'd already been fighting the kidney disease, nephritis, that Jonah Lomu suffered.

During his hospital stay, medical staff wanted him to lose weight as he was overweight, she said. But she was shocked to learn how much he'd lost in such a short time.

"He was about 120kg and in three weeks they got him down to 90kg and I thought that's ridiculous."

However, he wasn't coping with the dialysis treatment and was "so unwell" so doctors investigated further and discovered the pancreatic cancer.

Doctors were then trying to make him put more weight on to make him strong enough for surgery and inserted a tube down his throat. However, that eventually became sore.

She said it had been a traumatic time for the family.

Given he was so well-known, he was also popular in the hospital ward but he was too tired to handle all the visitors.

"He was in the hospital and had his name on the door and other patients were coming in to meet him.

"He was very tired and I'm saying 'he's not there for a holiday' and they finally took his name off the door. Then they put 'Mr M'. Well, nobody was fooled by that."

She has been fielding calls from wellwishers, including his former teammates, from all around the world, she says.

He celebrated his birthday at home in June and he wasn't supposed to drink. But that didn't stop him, she said.

"When he had his 80th birthday we all got together and wasn't supposed drink this or drink that and of course being Colin he thought 'oh well' so he had a beer. Anyway one thing leads to another ... the next thing you know they're dieting him."

She said whatever happened, the outcome was not good.

"Logic says somethings thing you can't change, but with this, there's no getting away from what's happening now."

Today Sir Colin's son, Glynn, said the news about his father was a big shock and the family expected a tough road ahead. However, they were now hoping to get on and deal with the news privately.

"We're taking some time to sort of deal with it, really. We just want to be left alone to deal with it."

Sir Colin also paid tribute to the medical staff in his hometown and at Waikato Hospital for their exemplary care.

"The care and help I've had from the doctors and nurses at Te Kuiti Medical Centre and hospital have been wonderful, and we as a family, appreciate it.

"We are very lucky indeed to have such a great facility in our town.
"I was in Waikato Hospital too for a few weeks and everyone up there was the same - they couldn't do enough for me."

Sir Colin said he's been inundated with get-well messages from New Zealand and overseas and thanked everyone for their concern.

"Thanks to all the people from all over the world for the cards and well wishes, but especially to our great friends locally - their support has been immense.

"But for now, it's about me fighting this, and we want to get on with what we are facing privately, as a family."

Today New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew offered the support of everyone involved in rugby to Sir Colin and his family.

"Sir Colin remains a true legend of the game and it is with great sadness we hear of the seriousness of his condition. Our thoughts, like so many others in New Zealand and around the rugby world are with him, his wife Verna and his family as he works through the next steps in his treatment.

"We knew Sir Colin had been ill for some time, however, the latest update on his condition is concerning to us all but we remain hopeful that Sir Colin's strength and determination will help him through."

Pancreatic Cancer

What is it?

• A disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the pancreas
• Smoking and health history can affect the risk of developing pancreatic cancer
• Possible signs include jaundice, pain, and weight loss

Why is it dificult to detect and diagnose early?

• There aren't any noticeable signs or symptoms in the early stages
• The signs of pancreatic cancer are like the signs of many other illnesses
• The pancreas is hidden behind other organs such as the stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and bile ducts

What affects the chances of recovery?

• The size of the tumour
• Whether the cancer has spread outside the pancreas to nearby tissues, lymph nodes or other places in the body
• The patient's general health
• Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has come back

What are the treatment options?

• Pancreatic cancer can be controlled only if it is found before it has spread, when it can be removed by surgery
• If the cancer has spread, palliative treatment can improve the patient's quality of life by controlling the symptoms

What is the pancreas?

• It is a gland about 15cm long that is shaped like a thin pear lying on its side
• It lies behind the stomach and in front of the spine
• It produces juices that help break down food, and hormones, such as insulin and glucagon, that help control blood sugar level
• The digestive juices are produced by exocrine pancreas cells, where about 95 per cent of pancreatic cancers begin

What are the possible risk factors?

• Smoking
• Long-standing diabetes
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Certain hereditary conditions

(Sources: familydoctor.co.nz and hpbsurgery.co.nz)

- NZ Herald