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Moby Wells (History 2019) wishes to share news of his cancer diagnosis to raise awareness.

The 21-year-old is awaiting an official diagnosis, with consultants at Addenbrooke’s anticipating to be confirmed from the results of CT scans and a biopsy.

But it is a mark of Moby as a person that among his first thoughts, less than a week since the initial X-ray which alerted medics to his condition, was to use his personal situation to help others. This interview is about sharing his experience.

“I’m healthy and have caught it early,” Moby says.

“And rather than sitting there worrying I’m using my brain power to try to think of ways I can help others. Because of what the doctors think I feel very optimistic, because the chances are so good.”

After a week of uncertainty and waiting, with chemotherapy likely to begin imminently, Moby is poised to intermit just weeks before the scheduled end of his undergraduate degree.

He says: “My symptoms are very easily missed. If I hadn’t have acted I’d probably still be sitting in my Cambridge room in ignorance and letting the cancer spread.

“If anyone notices something has changed for their body, do ask. Even if it’s slightly embarrassing it’s better to ask than a month down the line regret it.”

Moby’s uncle had 20 years ago, had treatment and made a recovery, but died last year. It was this family experience which heightened Moby’s awareness as his symptoms developed.

Moby felt itchy from last September – “like you do when you’re hot” – developed a cough in late December which was initially treated with antibiotics, and then experienced night sweating, “waking up drenched, like I’d been in a shower”.

When he mentioned his uncle on his third visit to the GP and his wider symptoms, Moby’s GP referred him for an X-ray.

He continued with a short break with his parents and his girlfriend, Anya Williams (Theology and Religious Studies 2019). But the next morning, last Saturday, after returning to 91ֱ��, he received a phone call requesting he immediately go to Addenbrooke’s, which he did by taxi.

After being told there was a high chance his symptoms indicated cancer, Moby was admitted overnight to stay in the Teenage Cancer Ward, which is supported by the charity Teenage Cancer Trust and for patients aged 15 to 25.

He says: “When you hear the word cancer you think of the absolute worst. It was awful. I was crying so much.

“They didn’t have much to go on, but based on the X-ray they said Hodgkin’s and that’s quite survivable. I’m hoping it’s Hodgkin’s, because Addenbrooke’s is the best in the world for treatment.

“It was overwhelming. The first night I was there, it was more so shock. I’m 21, I run, I walk, I do the allotment, I eat healthily, and I don’t smoke and drink.

“As my brother says, I’m so clean living and it’s not right. The second day was the hardest, because it was a full day on the ward.”

After a series of trips to Addenbrooke’s for tests and to go to the fertility clinic ahead of his chemotherapy, Moby is now at his family home in Little Melton near Norwich.

He has welcomed the support from 91ֱ��, particularly his Director of Studies Professor Peter Mandler and assistant College Nurse Victoria Mee, and from his friendship group which includes the Allotment Society which he leads. Anya, his girlfriend of over a year, pictured with Moby, and his parents, Pam and Tim, have provided constant support.

Having to intermit is a blow for Moby, who is now likely to return for Lent Term 2023 to sit his final exams. But he has taken comfort in speaking to friends, including one who intermitted for health reasons.

He says: “It’s really hard because I was very ready to go and do other things. Just yesterday (Thursday) I found out I had been accepted on a summer internship with the Civil Service, which is fantastic. I almost don’t care that I can’t do it because the morale boost was great.”

He hopes chemotherapy will finish by September and he will be able to use the autumn of 2022 and spring of 2023 for other projects, with Companion Planters one which combines his passions of the allotment, environment and wellbeing.

Moby, a 91ֱ�� access ambassador, says: “Companion planting is where you plant two plants that help each other. It’s a uni-wide thing of all the allotments where people can show their produce and have prizes and raise funds.”

Much remains unknown for Moby’s immediate future. But one thing for sure is he will use the experience positively to help others.

Moby has created a poster to help others