New Delhi: A day after Yuvraj's cancer treatment reports hit the headlines, messages of support and sympathy have been pouring in for the Indian cricketer.
The 30-year-old left-hander has been in USA since last month being treated for what was earlier claimed to be a tumour in the lungs by his family. But it has now been diagnosed as malignant and Yuvraj is currently undergoing chemotherapy in the Cancer Research Institute in Boston.
In 2011, the cricketer was diagnosed with a non-malignant tumour of the lung but further tests revealed cancer and he is now undergoing chemotherapy.
Cancer robbed cricket of many big players at an early age. Yuvraj is the latest in the list of cricketers who battled with the deadly disease. Amongst those who were afflicted with cancer are South African batsman Dave Callaghan, current Australian skipper Michael Clarke, Indian all-rounder Jai Prakash Yadav, Zimbabwe’s finest batsman Andy Flower, West Indies Test allrounder Bernard Julien and O' Donnell.
Yuvraj is known as a fighter to the core and he can draw inspiration from the line of cricketers who gave tough fight to the deadly disease before coming out triumphant.
Clarke was operated to remove three skin cancers from his nose and lips. After noticing a small, irregular spot on his nose, Clarke took up the Australian Cricketers' Association's offer of a free skin screening at the conclusion of a Blues training session. Scans revealed what Clarke now describes as a "low-grade skin cancer".
South African batsman Dave Callaghan was diagnosed with testicular cancer in September 1991. Though he missed the 1992 World Cup, he played his comeback ODI in December 1994, scoring an unbeaten 169 (a South African record). In 2011, he celebrated 20 years of surviving cancer.
Indian all-rounder Jai Prakash Yadav found in 2000 that he had a tumour above his heart. He underwent three cycles of chemo, lost 15 kilos and continued his fight against cancer. The strong-willed JP started playing for Madhya Pradesh within a month of his third chemo cycle. He recovered fully to become a prolific player for Railways, scoring over 7,000 First Class runs and nearly 300 wickets.
Former England opener, Geoff Boycott, developed cancer tissues over his neck in 2002 but, thankfully, they were detected in the nascent stage. England great Geoff Boycott was diagnosed for throat cancer in 2002. He had four cancerous tumours close to his voice box. He underwent 35 sessions of radiotherapy to wipe out the tumours.
The former West Indies Test all-rounder Bernard Julien too has been battling throat cancer.
Ashley Noffke, who played for Australia three times in 2007-08, accidentally discovered he had skin cancer when he sough medical treatment for an injured hip. What looked like a harmless mole turned out to be Grade Three melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer. He had immediate surgery, recovered.
Simon O'Donnell played in Australia's 1987 World Cup Final victory, but soon after he suffered severe pain that was diagnosed as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He staged a remarkable recovery and returned to the Australian One-Day team in the 1988–89 season.
Zimbabwe’s finest batsman and now England coach, Andy Flower also had melanoma under his right eye. England team’s security advisor Reg Dickinson brought up the possibility of cancer in a passing remark, leading Flower to get the growth immediately checked and treated. It saved Flower’s life.
One of England’s finest and most courageous, John Edrich (left) still holds the record for most fours in a Test innings. He struck 52 of them en route to an unbeaten 310 against New Zealand in 1965. In 2000, aged 63, he was told he had seven years to live after finding out he had a rare, incurable leukaemia.
A few of them, however, were not fortunate enough to fight with cancer and succumed to the disease.
David Shepherd, one of the most popular Test umpires in history died from cancer at the age of 68.
Wadsworth was the first wicket-keeper to score an ODI century was diagnosed with skin cancer and died at a young age of 29.
England’s legendary fast bowlers in the 1950s Fred Trueman and Brian Statham died of lung cancer at 75 and of leukemia at 69.
A swashbuckling Indian wicket-keeper batsman Kunderan died of lung cancer when he was 66.
Luckhurst played 21 Tests for England, and later became the president of the Kent County. He passed away at 66 after the long battle with cancer.
Other renowned cricketers who were diagnosed with cancer in their later years were Roy Fredericks, Budhi Kunderan, Graham Dilley, Brian Luckhurst, and Inshan Ali.
Yuvraj is no stranger to tough times and but has lots of good cricket to offer Indian cricket.
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