I thought fatigue was down to work — I actually had stage four cancer
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This time last year, esteemed chef Tony Frawley was fine-tuning his pizza recipes ready to launch of his charming new pizzeria next to a bustling city park. It was to be an exciting year — and not just for him and his family, because the Cardiff foodie scene was abuzz with anticipation.
But after being open just a few days, he received a devastating diagnosis of stage four oesophageal cancer and a stark warning that it could be fatal. Tony, 60, shared his harrowing experience, hoping it might encourage others to detect their cancer early.
"I started throwing up after eating," he said, recounting the ordeal that began just before Christmas 2023. "I was driving home from the pizzeria and I'd picked up a sandwich... As soon as I'd eaten it I had to pull over and I was sick. I had severe chest pains and was struggling to breathe and swallow. To start with I thought I was probably allergic to it and I moved on from it.".
The symptoms persisted during a trip to France over Christmas, reports Wales Online. "The same thing happened again. My wife Anna booked me in the doctor's and that's when they told me I should have a camera down there and they found the 8cm cancer.". The news was grim: "They told me it was stage four and I'd need chemotherapy, radiotherapy, an operation. They told me 20% of patients die from the operation so I went in there knowing how difficult it was going to be to get through it. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My life completely changed. I sat my family down and we agreed we were going to have a right good bash at it.".
