Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing.
A man spoke out about his harrowing journey dealing with an aggressive form of brain cancer that started with an unusual symptom.
Belfast teacher Matthew Starkey had his world turned upside down when he learned that he was suffering from a disease that would rapidly shorten his life.
Matthew, speaking through the Stand Up to Cancer UK charity, revealed that he would have considered himself an active young person in his early 30s.
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He explained that he would regularly play soccer, go to the gym and go for walks before he faced his diagnosis.
Despite his healthy living, Matthew was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2024, a rare and fast growing type of brain tumor.
He was then told he had an estimated two years to live but as he received more scans and tests from doctors, this was shortened to a year.
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Matthew said: “I have a brain tumor but its growing on my spinal cord as the primary spot.”
Speaking about his shortened life expectancy, he admitted: “My whole life kind of stopped in that moment, just incredibly upset. I just felt it was very unfair.”
Matthew also highlighted the symptom that occurred elsewhere in his body that made him realize something was wrong.
In November 2024, just before his diagnosis, Matthew noticed swelling on his leg - something he chalked up to overexertion from playing soccer at his age.
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He explained: “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.”
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Matthew then received his diagnosis and attempted to get his affairs in order, including getting married to his long-term girlfriend, Carrie.
They eventually tied the knot in June 2025 and speaking through the charity, Carrie remarked at how much of a brilliant day it was.
She said: “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.”
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However, just six weeks after getting married, Matthew passed away aged 32.
He tragically died under a year from his diagnosis on August 3 2025.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].
Gerrard Kaonga