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Father, 38, Dies Weeks After Back Pain Was Found to Be Stage 4 Rectal Cancer

His former partner is urging people to get unexplained symptoms checked promptly.

Overview

  • Steve Burrows first felt lower‑back twinges in late July and went to A&E on August 28, when CT scans revealed rectal cancer.
  • On September 24 he was told the disease was stage four with liver metastases, and he died in a hospice on September 27.
  • Family accounts say the back pain was caused by tumours pressing on nerves, which he initially mistook for sciatica.
  • Burrows had Familial Adenomatous Polyposis diagnosed in childhood and underwent rectal surgery at age 13, a condition that elevates lifetime colorectal cancer risk.
  • Former partner Bethan Kester has launched a GoFundMe for funeral costs and is publicly urging swift GP assessment of unusual symptoms as coverage notes rising cases in under‑50s.