We’ve all had those little aches and pains that we brush off—a sore back after gardening, a stiff knee after a long walk, or a twinge in the leg that we chalk up to age or overexertion. But sometimes, what seems like a minor issue can be a sign of something far more serious.
That’s the message a young couple is hoping to share after a seemingly harmless leg strain turned out to be a rare and life-altering diagnosis.
Cain Perry, a 29-year-old mechanic, thought he’d simply pulled a muscle in his thigh. But what started as a bit of soreness soon revealed itself to be something much more sinister—a rare cancer that affects just one in 10 million people.
And while Cain is only in his twenties, his story is a powerful reminder to all of us—especially those of us over 50—to listen to our bodies and never ignore unusual symptoms.
Let’s take a closer look at Cain’s journey, what we can learn from it, and why early detection is so important.
Cain first noticed a dull ache in his right thigh after a day at work. Like many of us would, he assumed it was a strained hamstring or a pulled muscle—nothing to worry about. His fiancée, Lucy, had a quick look and noticed a bit of swelling, but the pain soon faded, and life went on.
It wasn’t until three months later that Lucy noticed something alarming. Cain was standing in the kitchen in his underwear when she saw that his thigh looked significantly more swollen than before.
‘I was like, ‘Whoa, that’s actually really swollen now,’ she said. ‘We just hadn’t really noticed it. And he’s got tattoos and stuff, so it sort of blended in.’
Despite the swelling, Cain wasn’t in any pain. But Lucy insisted he see a doctor—a decision that may have saved his life.
Cain underwent a series of tests—an ultrasound, MRI, and CT scan—but before the results came back, he woke up one night in excruciating pain. His leg was hot to the touch, and Lucy urged him to go to the hospital.
At the Gold Coast University Hospital, initial blood tests didn’t show anything unusual. But once doctors reviewed his earlier scans, they saw something concerning: a soft tissue mass and a lesion on the bone. Cain was quickly referred to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane for a biopsy.
The results were devastating. Cain was diagnosed with Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma (ASPS), an extremely rare and slow-growing cancer that affects just one in 10 million people. Even more heartbreaking, the cancer had already spread to his lungs.
‘It’s extremely rare,’ Lucy said. ‘We were in shock.’
Unlike many other cancers, ASPS doesn’t respond well to traditional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation. Instead, some patients have seen success with immunotherapy, a newer form of treatment that helps the body’s immune system fight cancer.
But because ASPS is so rare, the medications used to treat it aren’t listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), meaning they aren’t subsidised by the government. One of the drugs Cain is considering costs around $70,000.
To help cover the cost, Lucy’s sister has started a GoFundMe campaign, and Cain continues to work as much as he can, despite his diagnosis.
‘One of the main reasons he is having to continue to work throughout this is because we can’t survive on a single income,’ Lucy explained. ‘He doesn’t feel unwell right now. He says he still can’t believe he’s got stage 4 cancer.’
Cain and Lucy have been together for 10 years, having met while studying photography. Lucy has since gone on to study psychology, but she’s put her honours degree on hold to support Cain through his treatment.
‘Cain is an extremely decent, kind human,’ she said. ‘He’s been through a lot, he’s a very strong-minded person. He’s incredibly loyal—he would drop anything to help anyone close to him.’
For now, they’re taking things one day at a time, waiting to hear when Cain can begin immunotherapy.
Cain’s experience is a sobering reminder that even the most minor symptoms can sometimes be a sign of something serious. While it’s easy to dismiss a sore leg or a bit of swelling, especially if it goes away, it’s always better to err on the side of caution.
Lucy is urging all Australians to take their health seriously and to seek medical advice if they notice anything unusual, especially lumps, swelling, or persistent pain.
‘Like that few months there (from when Cain first complained about a sore thigh), I don’t know if that would’ve changed anything, but that was a good few months where it would have just been sitting there,’ she said. ‘Always err on the side of caution. It’s better to be safe than sorry.’
As Cain Perry’s story illustrates, even minor symptoms can sometimes signal something much more serious. His journey serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to our bodies and seeking medical advice when something feels off.
Have you ever experienced symptoms that turned out to be more serious than you initially thought? What steps do you think are important when it comes to health concerns? Feel free to share your insights and experiences in the comments below—your perspective might help someone else take action.
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