Sir Geoffrey Boycott has received a diagnosis of throat cancer for the second time and is scheduled for surgery to address the condition.
The former England cricketer learned last week that the cancer had returned, over two decades after he initially battled the illness with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
He shared in a statement that recent MRI, CT, and PET scans, along with two biopsies, confirmed the presence of throat cancer, necessitating surgery. Reflecting on his previous experience, he acknowledged the necessity of excellent medical care and a bit of luck to beat cancer again, emphasising the perpetual uncertainty cancer patients live with regarding the possibility of recurrence.
At 83, Boycott is set to undergo surgery to remove the cancer in two weeks. He hopes to avoid the gruelling radiotherapy and chemotherapy sessions this time around.
Reflecting on his earlier struggle, Boycott recalled being diagnosed with cancer at 62 in 2002 and being told he had only three months to live without immediate treatment. He underwent 35 chemotherapy sessions and recovered with the support of his wife, Rachael, and daughter Emma.
In his book "The Corridor of Certainty," Boycott recounted the surgeon's advice to opt for chemotherapy and radiation over surgery due to the tumour's size, warning that without treatment, he had only three months to live. This dire prognosis was a shocking wake-up call for him, and he acknowledged that he might not have survived without his wife's unwavering support.
Boycott employed his renowned concentration skills to endure the harsh chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions, losing 10 pounds in one week and suffering severe burns on his neck from the laser treatment. The tumour was as large as a 50p coin.
In his book, he described his mental strategy during treatment, likening it to counting runs in cricket. He would count each session until reaching the halfway point, then focus on reaching the finish line. Falling asleep each night, he would remind himself of his progress and stay motivated to continue.
During this period, Rachael took on the role of caretaker, often reprimanding him if he was uncooperative or irritable. She became his companion rather than his lover, and he humorously referred to her as his new jailer when visitors came by. Despite his illness, maintaining humour and laughter in the house was crucial.
Boycott also explored alternative therapies, becoming a proponent of Feng Shui in his quest to stay alive.
A legendary figure in Yorkshire, England, and Telegraph Sport, Boycott made his Test debut in 1964 against Australia and was a central figure in England's batting lineup for nearly two decades. With 151 first-class centuries, the eighth most in history, he enjoyed a prolific career with England and Yorkshire spanning 25 years. He captained Yorkshire for eight years and played 108 Tests for England, scoring his 100th first-class century against Australia at Headingley in 1977.
Boycott captained England four times before retiring from Test cricket in 1982, continuing to play for Yorkshire until 1986, and finishing his first-class career with 48,426 runs, the fifth-highest of all time. He later became the club president.
Post-retirement, Boycott forged a successful career as a prominent pundit on television and radio. He retired from the BBC Test Match Special commentary team in 2020 after 14 years, and previously worked for Sky Sports and Talksport radio.
He continues to write exclusive columns for Telegraph Sport and plans to cover the first Test against West Indies at Lord’s next week before his surgery. Boycott was knighted in September 2019 as part of Theresa May’s resignation honours list.