‘They sent me for a scan and found that there was a tumour on my spine,’ explained Ollie Griffiths.
Wales international Ollie Griffiths has revealed the harrowing news he received about a rare form of cancer.
News broke in December last year that Griffiths would be hanging up his boots at the age of 29 due to ‘ongoing health problems’. Two months before that, the backrower had explained that he had been diagnosed with tumour on his spine, and it was a rare condition called Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH).
While he explained that the treatment for his health problem was going well, the tumour itself was causing nerve issues that were inhibiting his ability to play rugby, prompting him to hang up the boots.
Griffiths appeared as a guest on the latest episode of BBC Scrum V’s The Warm Up with Lauren Jenkins, Jonathan Davies and Ellis Jenkins, where he opened up on the ordeal in great detail. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
“It’s been a crazy 12 months,” began Griffiths. “Starting off, I was coming back from an elbow injury. I noticed some nerve pain in my left hamstring. As we know, as a rugby players we’ve got problems with our backs, a bit of nerve referral and stuff. I thought nothing of it but it gradually got worse.
“So, they sent me for a scan and found that there was a tumour on my spine, so it was real panic stations then. They sent me for some further tests and they came to the conclusion that it was likely going to be cancer. So this was back in early April last year. It was a worrying couple of weeks where we were waiting to find out what happened.
“So I wrapped my head around that, and I was fairly positive. I went for a biopsy where they were fairly confident that it was an infection. It was about a week or so (having to wait to be told whether it was cancer). So it was tough to take. As anyone can expect it was really anxious times. Then, it seemed to be looking positive, looked like it was heading towards the infection route which would have been great – some antibiotics and on your way.
“I then received a phone call that there was something called Langerhans cell histiocytosis, so a bit of a mouthful, LCH for short. I think it’s about one in two million people that have it, so it’s really rare. So I was really trying to wrap my head around that. From my understanding it’s a form of cancer which can affect people differently, thankfully mine wasn’t as bad as others because it was single site, so it was just in one location, on my back.
“It was actually sitting on a nerve which explains the nerve problems I was getting when I was running. Thankfully, everything has gone well so far, I had a biopsy, treatment has gone well, showing signs of improvement. But unfortunately, the damage to the nerve didn’t fully recover so that’s ultimately why I had to make the decision to retire from playing rugby. Looking back on the last 12 months, people might think I’m unlucky, whereas really, I feel I am quite lucky. After what I’ve gone through it could’ve been a lot worse.”
Griffiths continued, composing himself as he chatted about something quite emotionally provoking: “Being on the oncology wards… seeing young kids and realising I’ve come out the end of it not too bad, I feel quite fortunate really.”
“I suppose the scope of how ill you can be with this is quite wide,” added Jenkins.
Griffiths continued: “Early doors it was looking a lot worse than it panned out to be, so I think the last 12 months definitely changed my perspective on things. Like I said, I’m really lucky that it didn’t pan out the way that we first thought. I’m good and healthy and fit. The only thing I’ve got now is that a little bit of nerve problem, but it doesn’t stop me doing anything from day-to-day really. Which is good, I’m still training, I’m still active. It just means that I wouldn’t be able to play that to the level of rugby I’d need to as a professional athlete.
“It’s been a crazy 12 months or so, but thankfully things are getting better, things are moving in the right direction, as it stands now we are really in a good place.”
Griffiths was then asked whether check-ups are the way forward for him. “Yes, I’ve got a scan now in about six months’ time,” he added. “The consultants are not majorly concerned because it’s showing signs of improvement and it’s single site, which is brilliant. So hopefully it continues down that trajectory and in six, nine, 10 months’ time it’s completely gone. As things stand, I’m really fit and healthy, I’m lucky to come through it.”
The former Dragons star also touched on the disappointment in having to end his career ahead of time. He added: “Unfortunately, I had to retire early with a lot of rugby in me, which is a shame. I’ve played rugby for 10-plus years now. I was getting older in my career, injuries were becoming harder, especially with a little one and travel. It’s disappointing to have had to finish early but at the end of the day it’s changed my perspective on a lot of things on what’s really important, which is ultimately your health and your family life.”
Griffiths made 105 appearances for Dragons, the only club he represented at professional level. He also earned himself one cap for Wales at Test level against Tonga in 2017. He played again in 2019 in an uncapped match against the Barbarians.
If you would like to watch the full episode of The Warm Up, then click here.
