‘I was told I’d pulled a muscle playing golf — it turned out I had cancer’

A father-of-three who was initially told his rib and back pain was likely caused by a pulled muscle was left in “complete shock” when he was diagnosed with blood cancer. Mel Tottoh, 68, visited his GP after experiencing “searing pain” in 2020. The former footballer thought he may have broken a rib while playing golf.

A doctor initially said he may have pulled a muscle but blood tests in August 2021 revealed myeloma. Mr Tottoh told BBC News: “Being struck down with this was a complete shock. My dad had died of cancer and then, in the last 12 years, two of my brothers died of cancer. I thought it was the end.”

At the time of his diagnosis, Mel said he had “holey bones in my ribs, thighs, spine and skull”.

He underwent radiotherapy, chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. He has been in remission since November 2022 and has maintenance therapy to keep the disease at bay.

Mr Tottoh, who played for Preston North End in the 1980s, said his medical team at Blackpool Victoria Hospital had been “amazing”.

He added: “It takes a small army to get you through this ordeal. The most important thing now is having people in your corner, people who care, people who lift you up when you’re down. My family and closest friends have done that.”

Mr Tottoh is now enjoying making memories with his grandson Theo, nine.

“I will see my grandson go to university and get married — if that’s what he wants to do. I will see my kids fulfil their dreams,” he said.

“Right now, I’m in an amazing place and I’m on the path to living with myeloma for a very long time.”

More than 33,000 people live with myeloma in the UK, with around 6,200 cases diagnosed every year.