Young dad Matthew Lane’s attributes a haemorrhoid saving his life leading to a colon cancer diagnosis

A young dad attributes a haemorrhoid to saving his life after he was diagnosed with a life-changing disease a week before he was due to marry his high school sweetheart.

Doctors told Adelaide father Matthew Lane he had stage three cancer a week before he was due to marry his high school sweetheart who was heavily pregnant with the couple’s second child.

Mr Lane said the cancer was only discovered because of an haemorrhoid appointment he had a year prior, which he says “saved his life”.

“I was asymptomatic … it was by pure chance that I ended up having a colonoscopy that discovered the cancer,” the 35-year-old said.

“It was surreal … things start to run through your head about your own mortality.”

Matthew Lane, who has been diagnosed with stage 3n colon cancer with his wife Kylie-Marie and their son Ignatius. Picture: Supplied

In February 2024, the data lead had a haemorrhoid removed and while there the doctor suggested he undergo a colonoscopy.

During the procedure, small polyps were discovered and Mr Lane was told to come back a year later for a check-up.

“It had gone from absolutely clear to an obstructing cancer in my colon … and it had spread to my lymph nodes,” the Aberfoyle Park man said.

Matthew attributes an appointment to remove a haemorrhoid to the discovery of his cancer. Picture: Supplied

Mr Lane said following his second colonoscopy in February 2025 he was diagnosed with stage 3N colon cancer.

“My immediate thoughts turned to my fiance,” he said.

“It was all very bad timing, we were actually going to be married a week later.”

Mr Lane scheduled a surgery to remove a substantial part of his colon and lymph nodes four days after his wedding to his high school sweetheart Kylie-Marie — who he has been with since he was 15.

Matthew had surgery on February 28. Picture: Supplied,

Four days after his wedding to his partner of 20 years and the mother of his children. Picture: Supplied,

On Monday February 24, surrounded by close family and friends, the couple — who share a three-year-old son together called Ignatius and a baby daughter due in May — exchanged vows.

“It was a shame that the focus wasn’t just the marriage,” he said.

On February 28, Mr Lane had surgery and is scheduled for chemotherapy in a few weeks.

But while recovering from colon surgery, Mr Lane’s sister suffered a brain aneurysm and is currently in a coma in ICU at Flinders Private Hospital.

“There’s no time to process it, you’re going from one disaster to another,” he said.

Matthew following the surgery. Picture: Supplied

Close family and friends attended the wedding of the couple. Picture: Supplied

When Mr Lane was diagnosed he said he grew fearful he would leave his children in the same position he grew up in when his father died of a heart attack, when he was only 10 years old.

“There was no way in hell that I was going to let (my children) go through the same thing,” he said.

Matthew is warning young people to trust their instincts when it comes to their health. Picture: Supplied

Mr Lane warned young people to always trust their instincts.

“Do not let any health professional tell you that you’re too young or that you’re too low risk or that your symptoms aren’t serious enough,” he said.

He said never to be afraid of the stigma of a colonoscopy, saying “there are far bigger things at play”.

“Your health, your kids, your life, your family, yourself … don’t sweat the small stuff,” he said.

Originally published as Young dad Matthew Lane’s attributes a haemorrhoid saving his life leading to a colon cancer diagnosis