A former Manchester City FC ace has spoken out after a 'routine medical' revealed a scary diagnosis.
Michael Brown, the former footballer, manager and now popular pundit, has opened up about his shock cancer diagnosis which came at the start of the first coronavirus lockdown in early 2020. The player began his career with Manchester City after coming up through their youth ranks and was named the club's Player of the Year in 1998, appearing 88 times for the club and scoring two goals.
The midfielder had a lengthy career, going on to play for Sheffield United, Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United. But Michael faced a new challenge when, during a routine medical, he was told he had cancer - now he's taking on the London Marathon in honour of those who treated him.
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"Lockdown was a tough time for everyone, but unfortunately I was faced with a tougher challenge," he explained. "Following many years in football, the League Managers Association offer me a yearly medical.
"Thanks to this I discovered I had a malignant melanoma."
The melanoma was found in a problematic mole in the middle of Michael's back - but to a regular onlooker, the mole was not an obvious concern. He told the Manchester Evening News: "I knew I always had moles but I wasn't aware of having one like that. "I've got bigger moles that look not great, it was the smaller one that you don't see coming.
"I have been checked over the years and had ones that needed removing, and then I was told this one was an invasive melanoma which was obviously a big shock. The doctors sit you down and they say straight away that there's an issue.
"You hope it's not, you wait for the biopsy - and it's that waiting time which is difficult. But for me, they caught it at the right time, early enough to treat, and I had the right people treating it."
Michael was treated at Greater Manchester's world-leading cancer centre The Christie. "The medical treatment was very quick and efficient," he contined.
"I had to get the mole cut out and then go back and have some more cut out. Then you realise you've got rid of it and all you have to do is maintenance checks every three months - on moles in other areas as well."
Tomorrow (Saturday April 22), Michael will be pitch side in his role as a pundit, commentating on the Manchester City semi-final at Wembley - where the 46-year-old's first major club will play another team he spent years at, Sheffield United. The morning after, Michael will take on the London Marathon on Sunday, April 23, to raise money for The Christie.
"There so many people who appreciate The Christie, not just myself. Everybody you speak to in the north west, they'll say what a wonderful job that hospital does - the amount of people that they treated and who benefit from it."
Despite being a professional footballer on a global stage, Michael says it's the hardest sporting challenge he has taken on. Michael told the M.E.N. he has been on a strict training, diet and sleep programme to prepare for the distance.
"With the amazing care and medical support from HCA Hospital, Dr Sally Harris, Stephanie Ogden and [The Christie], I am cancer free, and was ready for a challenge of my own," Michael wrote on his JustGiving page. "Having been a professional footballer, friends and family thought this would be an easy task, but it has been my toughest challenge yet."
"It's constant running in the rain and in the shine, working up to 40 miles a week - it's been a long road since I started in January. It's been brutal, one of the hardest thing.
"I went away last week and everyone was having a drink, you're sitting there not doing it. Running this marathon and deciding to run it at a decent level has had to put things like that on hold."
Michael says he wants to complete the 26.2 miles in under four hours, but has been dared to go faster by his loved ones. He has already raised more than £18,000, but is enticing more people to donate to the amazing cause with the chance to 'win a signed Erling Harland, Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez or an England shirt' for those giving more than £10.
"You're always nervous for things like this, I want to get to the finish line at a decent time.
"Yes we're professional footballers but that means we're miles heavier than marathon runners! It's a totally different body and sport.
"Even if I have to walk, I will finish it," a determined Michael tells the M.E.N.
If you would like to donate to Michael's London Marathon challenge, head to his JustGiving page here.
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