Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing.
A man from the UK has shared his difficult journey through a challenging battle with a fast-progressing brain cancer that initially presented with an unexpected symptom.
Matthew Starkey, a teacher from Belfast, faced a life-altering revelation when he was diagnosed with a condition that would rapidly impact his lifespan.
Speaking through Stand Up to Cancer UK, Matthew described himself as an active individual in his early 30s prior to his illness.
He detailed his routine of playing soccer, hitting the gym, and enjoying walks before receiving his diagnosis.
Despite living a healthy lifestyle, Matthew was diagnosed in 2024 with glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive type of brain tumor.
Initially, he was given a two-year prognosis, but further medical evaluations reduced his expected time to just one year.
Matthew explained: “I have a brain tumor but its growing on my spinal cord as the primary spot.”
Reflecting on the prognosis, he shared: “My whole life kind of stopped in that moment, just incredibly upset. I just felt it was very unfair.”
Matthew also pointed out an unusual symptom that prompted him to suspect something was amiss.
In November 2024, shortly before his diagnosis, he observed swelling on his leg, attributing it initially to the exertions of playing soccer.
He noted: “I started to notice a bit of a limp when I was playing football.
“I put it down to just wear and tear and being in my 30s and I basically started to lose control of my right leg.
“My leg buckled underneath me and I sort of fell to the ground. I went to the hospital and I was in a wheelchair by that stage. I got the scan and I could tell the doctors and nurses were looking at me a little bit differently.”
Following his diagnosis, Matthew worked to settle his personal matters, including marrying his longtime partner, Carrie.
The couple wed in June 2025, and Carrie later described the wedding day as remarkably positive when speaking through the charity.
She recalled: “It was just a day of positive love. The energy in the room, I kept saying if you could bottle this up, you’d sell it for millions.
“There was no cloud of cancer over us at all. It was just a day of celebrations.”
Sadly, Matthew passed away six weeks after their marriage at the age of 32.
He died less than a year following his diagnosis, on August 3, 2025.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and wish to speak to someone confidentially, you can reach the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or through their live chat feature, which is available 24/7 throughout the year.
If you have suffered a bereavement and want to talk to someone confidentially, contact GrieveWell at (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].