Blues Lock Kurtis Haiu gets results for cancer test – Rugby news
Kurtis Haiu and his family today received discomforting news as the reports of tests conducted on him were completed after Haiu was diagnosed with bone cancer during the last week of April 2011.
Blues team doctor, Dr. Stephen Kara, confirmed that Haiu has a 65 percent chance of surviving the bone cancer. Providing the details Dr. Kara said, “Of the four possible scenarios he faced, this is the worst.” Stephen Kara performed the initial tests including
the CT imaging on Haiu’s ribs last month which revealed the presence of lesions in the eighth left rib.
However, Dr Kara was unsure about the type of tumor and decided to conduct a series of tests including surgery to determine the type of tumour and the extent of its growth.
Over the course of the past few weeks and as a result of the advance tests, Dr. Kara earlier today confirmed the presence of the primary cancer in the rib. He has termed the cancer as “fairly unusual”.
Dr. Kara today also has confirmed that the Kurtis Haiu has started chemotherapy treatment for bone cancer and the chemotherapy will last for the next three months. Following the chemotherapy, Haiu will have to undergo surgery again followed by another round
of chemotherapy treatment for next six months.
Kurtis Haiu was struggling with rib pain for almost a year now, which was related to close physical contact he sustained during a game. However, the intensity of the pain increased and prompted doctors to perform more diagnostic tests.
27-year-old Blues lock has not featured for the Auckland Blues during this year’s super rugby championship contest.
Kurtis has represented New Zealand at international levels including representing All Blacks at Secondary Schools Level, Under-19 Level and Under-21 level before he began his professional rugby career.
Kurtis Haiu joined the Auckland Blues during the 2006 super rugby competition. Until now, he has played represented Blues 53 times and has scored five tries. Haiu made his debut for Blues in 2006 after signing a two-year contract. However, later due to his
exceptional performance, the club handed over him a long-term contract in 2008.
Whangarei born Haiu made his provincial rugby debut for Auckland provincial state in 2005. He made his debut for Auckland in a game against the touring Irish and British Lions. Since 2005, Haiu has made 75 provincial appearances. He considered as the one
of experienced player in their squad.
Haiu or family members were not present to comment on sad the news as his team is enjoying an outstanding super rugby season.
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