Renal cancer and aircrew
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone on Pprune for their kind condolences and attendances at Brian's funeral in Carterton last week. I am Alan, Brian's older brother and along with our Mam and all of my own extended family and Rosie's whole family, would like to say how proud we were of "our Brian". He was an amazing man, so courageous not only in RAF life but also during the last few days of his life when he still kept himself chirpy and cracking jokes with all and sundry. He has left a massive void in all of our lives. Unfortunately, Brian did have renal cancer but the "doc's" were unable to find the "primary source" of the cancer and were unable to target where the cancer started. However, myself and families scoured the world for solutions or ongoing trials and were in contact with specialists in Australian and USA, alas without a chance of getting Brian to any of them before he took to being too ill. The topic you have raised about aircrew and renal cancer has come alongside my own wondering of whether there have been any aircrew who have passed away with cancer who were on the stricken Atlantic Conveyor. I do know that it was carrying phosphorous of some type, some of the make up of the ship was made using aluminium - which when burnt gives off toxic gases - the diesel fuel on board and probably some other noxious substances we don't know about. I have often wondered if Brian had earlier succumbed to some of these toxic gases before he had the chance to use his respirator and something has lain dormant in his body until last year when he was diagnosed with "Unknown Primary Source Cancer". Thank you once again to you all for your kindness and most of all, your friendships you had with "Our Brian". Best wishes to you all and your families.