Sportsmen who came back from cancer
Lance Armstrong The American cyclist was diagnosed with Stage 3 testicular cancer in 1996, but he recovered to go on to win the sport's most prestigious race, the Tour de France, an unprecedented seven times
Mario Lemieux One of the greatest ice hockey players, Lemieux was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma at the height of his powers in 1993. He returned after radiation treatment and remained prolific for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Dave Callaghan The South Africa allrounder was treated for cancer in 1991, but returned to full health and earned a place in the national squad in the next year. He played 29 ODIs in his South Africa career before retiring from cricket in 2003.
Eric Abidal A tumour was detected on this France and Barcelona defender's liver in March 2011. He underwent surgery and two months later played the entire duration of Barcelona's masterclass in the Champions League final.
Yuvraj Singh has been diagnosed with cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy in the United States. A tumour on his lung was diagnosed as non-malignant late last year, but his physiotherapist has now confirmed that it is cancerous. Dr Jatin Chaudhary said it was "100% curable" and that Yuvraj would be "fit to be back on the field" in May.
"It is a rare tumour and is cancerous but it has been detected in stage 1 itself (Stage 0 refers to cancer that is just beginning, while stages 1 to 4 are progressively more advanced cancers)," Chaudhary told PTI.
"Doctors had to decide whether to continue medication or go for chemotherapy but since parts of the tumour are just above the artery of his heart, there was a danger that while running it could burst. But it is 100% curable.
"The doctors decided that he would have to undergo chemotherapy and he travelled to the US on January 26. End of March, he would undergo a CT scan and should recover by then.
Yuvraj hasn't played competitive cricket since the Tests against West Indies last November, when news of his tumour became public. He had originally hoped to make a comeback in the tri-series in Australia, but last month it was announced that he would not be fit in time for the IPL, which begins in April. "Thankfully no surgery is required, he is already a lot better than what he was and can't wait to be back on the cricket field.
"Once he is done with chemo in March, his rehabilitation would be complete by April end and he would be perfectly fit to play in May."
A Man-of-the-Series performance in India's World Cup win in 2011 has been sandwiched by two forgettable years for Yuvraj. He battled with form and fitness in 2010, losing his place in the side. After the World Cup, several injuries curtailed his appearances for India, before the detection of the tumour forced his current absence from cricket.
SOURCE : http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/current/story/552170.html
