Scotland football star’s iPad ‘diagnosis’

Published on Sunday 5 February 2012 00:00

FORMER Scotland footballer Gordon McQueen has told how he predicted his diagnosis of throat cancer when he looked up his symptoms on his iPad after a television appearance left his voice hoarse.

The former Manchester United and Leeds player turned broadcaster said he had searched the internet on the train home one night after he noticed his voice was hoarse while working as a football pundit for Sky – just days before he was given a formal diagnosis of the disease.

“I was on Sky in September and my voice was rough,” said McQueen, 59. “I was having trouble when I was doing the television. After four weeks it wasn’t better, and I knew something wasn’t right. I was coming back from working on Sky one night when I took out my iPad on the train and looked up ‘throat problems’ on the internet. It said ‘if you have a hoarse voice for more than three weeks, it’s serious.’ ”

Shortly afterwards, he was diagnosed with throat cancer. His radiotherapy treatment last year left his throat so uncomfortable that for some time, he was unable to eat anything other than protein shakes and jelly and ice-cream.

Although he refers to himself as a heavy drinker, McQueen, whose non-smoking, tee-total mother died of throat cancer, insists alcohol and smoking had nothing to do with his illness – despite being cited as potential contributory factors.

“See, with these things, it’s your Donald Duck [luck],” he said. “I smoked when I was playing, but I gave up about 12 years ago. Smoking and alcohol get blamed for everything. If they tell me to stop drinking, I’ll change my doctor.”

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