Barwon Heads man John White shares how stomach pains turned out to be cancer, why experience led to a career change

John White thought he’d eaten a “dodgy croissant”. But the cause of the Barwon Heads man’s stomach pain was much more serious.

John White is sharing his experience with an uncommon cancer. Pictured at his vineyard, Coatsworth Farm, with dog Frankie. Picture: Alison Wynd

John White thought he’d eaten a “dodgy croissant” on a Saturday morning, but within a week was in hospital facing surgery for cancer.

The Barwon Heads resident was at the green grocer with his wife Kim in September 2020 when he developed stomach pains, after treating himself to a croissant.

Mr White, 54, said he thought he’d eaten “something that didn’t agree with me”.

“But it just didn’t get any better,” he said.

“I hadn’t been in that kind of pain before.”

Mr White, pictured with dog Frankie, said a doctor thought he had a burst appendix initially. Picture: Alison Wynd

He said a scan revealed a lump where his appendix should be.

The on-call doctor said this could have meant a burst appendix – but Mr White had his out as a teenager.

He said a specialist happened to be nearby and saw the scans, and referred him to get a PET and CT scan.

“Within the space of two or three days, I was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer,” Mr White said.

That Thursday, Mr White was at the Epworth Geelong for surgery to remove a tumour on his lower intestine.

Neuroendocrine cancer, often referred to as a neuroendocrine tumour (NET), develops in the neuroendocrine system cells – a network of glands and nerve cells that make and release hormones.

Symptoms can include diarrhoea, flushing, a racing heart and wheezing.

This can lead to misdiagnosis, with sufferers often told they have irritable bowel syndrome, menopause, anxiety, or asthma.

When his wife dropped him at the hospital for surgery, unable to go in with him because of Covid-19 protocols, Mr White said he didn’t know if he’d see her again.

“It was a harrowing experience,” he said.

“I had a very short space of time to let it sink in … how serious it was, and whether or not (I was) going to survive.”

With the removal of 50-60cm of his bowel, Mr White did survive, but he had another tumour detected last year.

He said the second cancer was detected early because of six-monthly tests.

Mr White said having NETs made him reflect on what was important in his life, and with encouragement from his wife, quit his corporate job and purchased a Portarlington vineyard.

In April, he was declared in remission, bringing a sense of great relief.

He said he wanted to share his NETs experience to help guide others facing the condition.

“You kind of say ‘what the hell is this, do people die from it?’,” he said.

“When you’re told (it’s cancer) and something that you’ve never heard of … it’s doubly scary.

“If I can make that path less scary for someone (that’s great).”

NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia (NECA) is hosting its annual awareness day on November 10.

Mr White said it was important to raise awareness as the condition was not well understood or funded.

He said it was vital for people to be informed about the cancer, and get treatment before it’s too late.

For more information visit neuroendocrine.org.au/

To donate, visit neuroendocrine.org.au/campaigns/net-cancer-day-2023/

Originally published as Barwon Heads man John White shares how stomach pains turned out to be cancer, why experience led to a career change