Coventry dad put symptoms down to 'tiredness and COVID' as tell-tale cancer sign was missed

A Coventry dad who died of incurable cancer put his symptoms down to 'tiredness and Long-COVID.' Anwar Minhas worked long hours as a taxi driver and initially thought that his backache had been caused by his job.

It was just a few months later that Anwar was told that he had pancreatic cancer, leaving his loved ones 'devastated.' Wife Aisha said she can vividly recall the heartbreaking moment she was told about the diagnosis in August 2022.

Anwar had initially remained 'really positive' after being told that the prognosis was good, but just a few months later was shocked to learn that he had just weeks to live. He died at home, surrounded by his family, in March 2023.

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Aisha, who works for the East Midlands Cancer Alliance, said: “Anwar had a very big personality, so everyone knew and loved him. He was very strong and loud, with a big sense of humour and a caring, soft heart. When we found out he had cancer, we were devastated.”

Anwar initially thought his backache had been caused by his work as a taxi driver and put his tiredness down to Long-COVID. “He was complaining of backache, but he would just take painkillers to go to work,” Aisha said.

“He had also been experiencing tiredness, which we put down to Long-COVID, but when he began to feel more tired than usual, he went to a walk-in centre and was put on antibiotics, they thought he had a urine infection, but I had noticed he had yellow eyes. If I had known then that was a symptom that might have set more alarm bells ringing,” Aisha continued.

When his symptoms failed to improve, Anwar decided to go to A&E. He was told that he had a tumour on his pancreas and would need chemotherapy to shrink it enough to be able to operate, Aisha said.

Anwar walked his daughter down the aisle in October, but after setbacks with treatment, the cancer had spread to his liver, and by February last year, his condition had deteriorated so much that chemotherapy was no longer an option, Aisha explained.

She said: “With pancreatic cancer, there is a real disparity in terms of research, early diagnosis, and support. Symptoms are just so vague. Had I known he had so little time, we would have spent that time doing what he wanted.”

Aisha said her experience has made her passionate about campaigning for Cancer Research UK. “So many peoples lives are touched by this devastating disease, and the numbers are only growing, so we must make sure cancer is at the forefront of the minds of all future MPs.

“It is distressing to think how many friends, family, and colleagues could be affected by the fallout if we do not speed up progress in the fight against cancer. With so many challenges and funding issues surrounding cancer research and care, it is vital that saving lives comes before politics.”

Aisha added: “When you hear those terrible words, 'It is cancer,' all you want to know is that you or your loved one have the best possible chance of surviving. Whoever wins the general election, the next UK Government must help make this a reality for cancer patients everywhere.”

Analysis from Cancer Research UK found that within five years, the next UK Government could help prevent around 500 cancer-related deaths in the West Midlands. Aisha has called for a long-term, fully funded strategy to be rolled out this year and is backing a new campaign called 'Turning Point for Cancer.'

Aisha urged people across Coventry and Warwickshire to call on their local parliamentary candidates to commit to transforming cancer survival by emailing them ahead of Thursday, July 4 at: cruk.org/localcandidates.

Paula Young, of Cancer Research UK, said: “Nearly 1 in 2 people will get cancer in their lifetime and it affects every family in every constituency. So, as political parties reach out to the country, there has never been a better opportunity to come together and demand the action people affected by the disease so desperately need and deserve.”

Ms Young continued: “We are grateful to Aisha for joining the groundswell of supporters, scientists, and stars who are backing our campaign and hope her story will inspire people across the West Midlands to have their say by emailing their local candidates. Urgent action to tackle the disease will mean more life-saving research, more people diagnosed and treated earlier, and ultimately, more people in the West Midlands living longer, better lives.”

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