Nicolás Martínez Adega, an osteosarcoma patient since the age of 7, is now a world champion in canoeing and studies Computer Engineering in Seville. On International Sarcoma Day, he acts as an ambassador for the Cris Against Cancer foundation.
The Virgen del Rocío University Hospital in Seville, a national reference centre for sarcomas, treats 400 new patients each year from Andalusia, Extremadura, and the Canary Islands. There, Nicolás Martínez Adega, a young man from Lugo, has undergone 15 operations and received a megaprosthesis that replaces almost his entire left leg, achieving the title of world and European champion in canoeing. His story, which began with a diagnosis at the age of 7, is now an inspiring example of overcoming adversity for other families.
A early diagnosis that marked his childhood
It all started when his mother noticed he was walking with a slight limp. "I didn't notice anything, but my mother had that sixth sense. When she saw the doctor's face upon looking at the MRI, her expression changed," Nicolás recounts. Doctors diagnosed him with osteosarcoma in the femur, an aggressive and rare bone tumour. His parents explained that he had "some bad bugs" and that he would need two years of treatment. "Cancer is not only suffered by the person who has it, but by the whole family," he states from his experience.
The director of the Intercentre Clinical Management Unit of Pathological Anatomy at Virgen del Rocío, Enrique de Álava, emphasises the importance of early diagnosis. "When someone has a lump that is growing rapidly, in an arm, a leg, or the trunk, they should go to their Primary Care doctor for assessment and, if necessary, referral to a specialised centre," he warns. The Seville hospital leads a project by the Cris Against Cancer foundation to identify biomarkers that allow for personalised treatments.
From 'you will never play sports again' to world gold
After the surgeries, doctors told him he would never run or play sports again. "That took my life away because I was a very active child," he recalls. However, he did not give up. For five years he asked about different sports and always received a 'no', until one day he inquired about canoeing. "That was the first yes. They told me I would never play sports again, and today I am a world and European champion," he proudly shares. Now his goal is to participate in the Paralympic Games.
Nicolás is currently studying Computer Engineering in Seville, where he trains and leads a normal life. His story has reached other families going through similar situations. He recalls when he spoke with the mother of a Sevillian boy with sarcoma: "Seeing that I was studying a degree, competing at the highest level, and living a normal life gave them the hope they needed. That’s when I understood I could help many more families."
Research as the key to the future
Doctor Enrique de Álava explains that sarcomas are a group of rare tumours, with between 100 and 150 different types, but particularly aggressive. "There are patients we know from the start have a particularly aggressive disease and others whose tumours take a long time to metastasise or may never do so. The difference lies in certain genetic and molecular characteristics," he points out. The project he leads aims to identify those biomarkers to tailor treatments to each patient.
"Without diagnosis, there is no treatment, and without an accurate diagnosis, there can be no precise treatment," the specialist reasons. The comparison is simple: "Biomarkers are like locks and treatments are the keys. First, we need to know what lock each patient has in order to use the right key." This increases survival chances and reduces unnecessary side effects.
Nicolás, now an ambassador for Cris Against Cancer, gives talks to raise awareness about the disease. "When someone approaches me to say that I have helped them or that they felt identified with me, I feel that everything I went through has served a purpose," he concludes. His story demonstrates that, even in the face of the most adverse prognosis, perseverance can turn a 'no' into a world championship.
You may also like
