A Toowoomba man’s shock thyroid diagnosis after discovering cancer that was growing 2cm every fortnight

A young man has revealed the concerning signs that led to him finding out he had thyroid cancer that was growing 2cm every two weeks.

Nic Letheby is facing a battle after his shock cancer news.

The community is throwing support behind a 25 year-old Toowoomba man who lost his mother to cancer seven years ago and has now been diagnosis with the same terrible disease.

Nic Letheby was diagnosed with thyroid cancer after a tumour measuring 8cm long, 7cm wide and 6cm deep appeared in his neck.

Growing at a rapid rate of 2-3cm every fortnight, the cancer is now crushing his windpipe requiring urgent surgery with Mr Letheby booked to in to be operated on this Thursday.

“I had a small lump in my neck since January and didn’t think much of it because it was very small and then around May I saw my doctor and she said the lump was getting bigger and we needed to draw attention to it because it I was getting very tired,” Mr Letheby said.

Nic Letheby is facing a tough time.

“Originally they thought it was hyperthyroidism and I ended up going back to the doctor and she said it has grown even more and it's obviously a growth that needs to be addressed, I was feeling exhausted everyday and couldn’t really function as normal.

“My doctor sent me in for a biopsy and they told I had thyroid cancer which is hereditary because my mum passed away from brain tumours when I was 17.

“When I found out I was pretty shocked and it took a while to sink in, the positive is knowing I’m not just thinking that I’m tired, there’s a reason I feel like this but I’m scared of knowing I have it and the risks of surgery but also so thankful I can have the surgery.”

With the public wait time for surgery currently a minimum of four to five weeks a GoFund me has been established to fund the urgent private surgery.

Nic Letheby was diagnosed with thyroid cancer

The surgery is expected to cost $10,000 with the remaining funds to be allocated for follow up appointments and recovery.

So far the community have raised a staggering $17,440 for a man described by his friend Anna Broad in the GoFund me as “a vibrant 25-year-old who brightens everyone’s day with his humour and positivity”.

‘Not a day goes by where Nic isn’t cracking jokes or sharing his infectious smile. He fills our days with joy and is truly a ray of sunshine,’ she wrote.

‘Nic is more than just a good friend, he’s also a devoted boyfriend to his beautiful girlfriend Jenna, a loving brother, son, cousin, and a talented singer-songwriter.’

Mr Letheby said he was blown away with the support he’d received.

“I was in hospital the last couple of days and they’ve discharged me to have some rest at home before the surgery on Thursday, I’m still in pain and keen to get it all out,” he said.

“It’s unbelievable once it reached that amount, I am just blown away that everyone has got behind it and supported it, it’s been a beautiful experience.

“There are so many unknowns with the surgery, we don’t know which road it can go down and having that financial support behind my partner and I is such a relief because medical bills can go far and above what you’d expect them to.”

Donate to Nic’s GoFundMe page here.