Burton Dad Diagnosed with Ultra-Rare Cancer After Pharmacy Visit

Dave Paxton, a 38-year-old father from Burton-on-Trent, was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bowel cancer — a grade-four squamous cell tumour of the duodenum. Only 22 similar cases have ever been reported globally.

The diagnosis came after a chance conversation at a pharmacy while collecting anxiety medication. A pharmacist asked Dave if he had any other health concerns, prompting him to mention his unusually dark stools. That led to a GP visit and, within days, tests revealed the aggressive cancer.

Since then, the cancer has spread to Dave’s liver, causing severe bleeding and requiring blood transfusions every four days. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy in an effort to stop the spread.

“This is terrifying,” Dave told Yorkshire Live. “The treatment side effects are horrendous, but I’m very grateful to the pharmacist for checking in. I might not have mentioned anything otherwise.”

Doctors say the cancer is so rare they cannot estimate life expectancy. Dave, however, remains focused on his nine-year-old son, Stanley, and is determined to keep fighting.

Dave’s twin brother, Mark, has launched a GoFundMe to help raise money for immunotherapy treatment using the drug pembrolizumab — considered a promising option, though not covered by Dave’s insurance due to the cancer’s rarity.

“If I can get the 24 sessions of immunotherapy, I could be in remission by Christmas,” Dave said.

You can support the fundraiser through the GoFundMe page. Every donation helps give Dave more time with his family.