Scots Commonwealth swimmer opens up on devastating brain cancer diagnosis
A champion Scots Commonwealth Games swimmer has opened up on his devastating incurable brain tumour diagnosis.
Archie Goodburn won bronze in the men's 50m breaststroke at the 2019 World Junior Swimming Championships and has represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games.
However, the then 22-year-old announced in 2022 the heartbreaking news that he was diagnosed with three brain tumours, reports Edinburgh Live.
The Edinburgh athlete has now shared heart-wrenching details about his journey with the incurable disease in a BBC interview.
He said: "I get much strength for my family and my girlfriend, and ultimately, just dreaming of my future. I see the future in different ways on different days.
"There are days where I wake up from bed feeling positive and knowing that things are coming and hoping that things are going to be out there.
"And other days, my eyes open and I realize I have a brain tumor, I have brain cancer, and there is an end point to my life, and it's much, much earlier than it should be."
Despite his condition, Archie is still in the pool swimming and otherwise in good health. The now 24-year-old spoke on his goals for the future in light of his diagnosis.
He added: "It's day to day. It's putting one foot in front of the other. One of the most important things for me is trying to stay present, trying to wake up in the morning and think about how much my day is going to be affected today.
"And if I can say the answer to that is not too much, then that's a huge positive for me to take away. I want to keep going for as long as I can. I want to be in Glasgow the next Commonwealth Games."
Archie is fortunate in that he does not suffer from permanent side effects and his tumour symptoms can be managed with anti-epileptic drugs. The athlete said he can "live a pretty normal life at the moment".
He continued: "But that's not to say that that's something that's going to last, and it won't be something that lasts.
"I'm fortunately in a position where I haven't been diagnosed with a glioblastoma. I don't have 12 to 16 months, I may have considerably longer than that.
"Often people don't get anywhere near as long as I get when they're diagnosed with brain cancer. And they're not really in a position where they're going to want to spend their time raising awareness. They're going to want to spend their time living each day as it comes, making the most of every hour they have.
"I realized now that I'm in a position now with my sport with my diagnosis that I have time to raise awareness and shout about this horrible disease that does take so many lives."
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Childhood obesity in Scotland 'growing alarmingly' as experts call for food industry crackdown
Young Scots from the most deprived parts of the country have double the risk of experiencing obesity than those livng in the most affluent areas. Childhood obesity has risen to "alarming" levels with experts calling for action to prevent unhealthy lifestyles setting in among babies and toddlers. A report out today warns a child's expectation of living a healthy life is set early on and becomes "difficult to alter after the age of about five years". Experts said the first 1,000 days of life – from pregnancy through to a child's second birthday – are "critical to development and health across the life-course" as they called for early action to prevent obesity in youngsters. It comes amid warnings that childhood obesity in Scotland is "growing alarmingly" with 20 per cent of children at risk of being overweight by the time they enter primary one. Young Scots from the most deprived parts of the country also have double the risk of experiencing obesity than those livng in the most affluent areas. Experts said interventions were needed to help women to begin pregnancy at a healthy weight and encouraging breastfeeding - which is linked with a reduced risk of childhood obesity and avoiding 'rapid catch-up growth' in low birth weight babies. "The overall goal should be to establish and maintain a healthy body-weight trajectory that avoids excess gain early in life,' experts from the UK Academy of Medical Sciences and the Italian National Academy of Sciences said. In the UK, 1.3 million children are obese and a further 2.3 million are overweight. The authors highlight how single interventions 'such as diet or physical activity, in single settings' rarely work without consideration of wider factors which may contribute to childhood obesity. The report says that portraying obesity as a 'character flaw' leads to stigmatisation which can be counterproductive and may increase the risk of unhealthy diet and lifestyle, but positive messages about the benefits of maintaining a healthy weight may work better. 'Childhood obesity has become an urgent public health challenge that is both affecting lives today and storing up problems for the future,' the report states. Dr Shoba John, head of Obesity Action Scotland, said the report mirrored what was happening north of the Border. The health expert urged the Scottish Government to restrict the advertising of junk foods and ensure school meals met nutritional standards. "Childhood obesity in Scotland is growing alarmingly, with 20 per cent of children at risk of overweight and obesity at primary one level," Dr John told the Record. "Worryingly, children from deprived areas have double the risk of experiencing obesity at that age, an unacceptable disadvantage to start life with for any child. "They continue to grow up in an unhealthy food environment replete with junk food ads, discounted sugary drinks and promotional deals on unhealthy food in retail stores. "England is introducing mandatory healthiness targets for retail food. Scotland needs to urgently follow suit, restrict outdoor advertising of junk food and ensure that school meals adhere to national nutritional standards. Fiscal levers are key to reducing consumption of unhealthy food and drinks that have a bearing on obesity levels." The authors of the new report said that "robust" regulation of the food industry is needed rather than relying on voluntary agreements, with evidence supporting taxation of unhealthy products and potential subsidies for healthier options. 'The first 1,000 days, including time in the womb, represent an important window of opportunity to set children on a healthy trajectory for life,' said Professor Susan Ozanne, co-chair of the report. "Once obesity is established, it becomes increasingly harder to reverse. This isn't about individual willpower or blaming and shaming – it's about creating an environment for parents, carers and their children that supports healthy development from the very beginning." The Record asked the Scottish Government for comment.
BBC News
6 hours ago
- BBC News
Sri Lanka in Zimbabwe 2025
(All games played in Harare)August29 1st ODI (08:30 BST)31 2nd ODI (08:30 BST) September3 1st Twenty20 international (12:30 BST)6 2nd Twenty20 international (12:30 BST)7 3rd Twenty20 international (12:30 BST)NB Fixtures and start times are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made
Metro
7 hours ago
- Metro
Novak Djokovic explains worrying medical timeout in Wimbledon opener
Novak Djokovic called for the physio and doctor at Wimbledon (Picture: BBC) Novak Djokovic has lifted the lid on his worrying scare after requesting a medical timeout during his first-round Wimbledon win. The seven-time champion looked set to breeze into the second round after winning the first set of his tournament 6-1 against an overawed Alexandre Muller. Djokovic was also in control for large parts of the second set but Muller forced a tie-break and then stunned the tennis icon to draw level. In worrying scenes for those hoping to see Djokovic win a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, the physio and doctor were called by the Serbian midway through the third set. Djokovic appeared to be given pain relief and was stretching out while breathing deeply as France's Muller also asked for a medical timeout. It was the 38-year-old who emerged stronger from the pause in play, winning the next two sets 6-2 to book his place in the second round, where he will meet Great Britain's Dan Evans. Djokovic was in discomfort during his match (Picture: BBC) The seven-time champion requested a medical timeout (Picture: Getty) 'To be quite frank I went from feeling my absolute best to my absolute worst for 45 minutes,' Djokovic said in his on-court interview. 'Whether it was a stomach bug or something else, I don't know. I struggled with that but the energy kicked back after some miracle pills from the doctors.' Asked whether he ever feared he would be forced to retire, Djokovic added: 'No, no. I honestly wasn't thinking about that as an option. 'I knew something was off with the stomach so I just waited for it to calm down and that's what happened.' More to follow… Arrow MORE: 'I feel empty and alone' – Tennis star says he 'needs therapy' after Wimbledon exit Arrow MORE: Jack Draper speaks out on nightmare Wimbledon draw as three massive names await
