A Kent couple, who have been together for 44 years, have said they were « stunned » to discover they shared the same diagnosis of kidney cancer.
David and Jill Kenward, from Greatstone, near New Romney, said they were both diagnosed with tumours on their left kidneys and both had robotic surgery performed by the same surgeon to remove them .
The Kenwards added they did not have any symptoms and were both diagnosed after tests for a different condition.
David, 65, said: « I had so many visits with Jill when she was going through it, and then two years later I found myself sitting in the hot seat in the same room, and she was there for me. »
He said: « Because we have both been through it, we don’t see it as a big deal really, we just get on with it. »
Jill, 63, was diagnosed with kidney cancer after an X-ray as part of her treatment for breast cancer.
She had a 1cm (0.3in) tumour removed from her kidney at the East Kent University Hospital.
David was diagnosed after a scan during treatment for prostate cancer found a 6cm (2.3 inches) tumour.
He said: « Neither of us had any idea at all, it was lucky that they found it. »
He added recovery was « quite quick ».
Dr Thomas Milan, who performed the operations on the couple, says kidney cancers are still « less common » but they are seeing an « increase in cases ».
« To see a married couple both undergoing the same operation within a few years is extremely rare, » he said.
« I have operated on more than 1,000 patients with kidney diseases, this is the first time that I have encountered this. »
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