Wrestler who battled kidney cancer aims to spread awareness along with a significant message

Among the many illnesses and diseases plaguing humankind, cancer is often feared and dreaded the most. The pain it brings emotionally, mentally and physically is not easy to handle and brings several challenges to the person and every aspect of their life. Wrestler Adil Malik faced the tragic illness of kidney cancer when he was at the young age of 25, starting his career and life. BBC reported that the man faced umpteen trials mentally and physically before he could accept and treat his condition. However, Malik has won the battle and is raising awareness and strength for the same through his experience. "No 25-year-old should have to go through this, once you hear the big 'C' word you think the worst," Malik said.

Three years ago, the young wrestler had only begun his journey in fitness when he discovered an unusual appetite and blood in his urine. He mentioned that he ignored the appetite issue for a month thinking it would eventually fade. Sharing his experience on Instagram, he said, “I think it was the pandemic time, 7 am and I needed to go pee and I was like yo, there’s blood in my urine.” Malik and his loved ones feared that his symptoms were hinting at the disease. “They were hoping the best for me and I was hoping the best for me. Would I be able to wrestle with one kidney, I don’t know,” Malik said, sharing just one of the many painstaking thoughts that flooded his mind.

However, when things didn’t get better, the wrestler consulted doctors and was referred to a specialist who diagnosed Malik with stage three renal cell carcinoma - the most common type of kidney cancer. What followed was pain, fear, doubt and so much more for Malik and his family as they paved their way forward to overcoming the disease. However, through it all, Malik did not give up. The wrestler mentioned that his faith and resilience gave him the courage to overcome the huge battle set before him. Malik had a nephrectomy, a removal of his kidney and three years later, he continues to chase his dream, fighting in the ring. The wrestler has undoubtedly learned much from his journey and he wishes to share the same with the world.

Malik has been working on a documentary “Wrestling with Cancer” to share his testimony, his lessons, precautions and more with the world. It portrays the wrestler’s journey with the good and the bad and the experiences of other cancer survivors as well. He's motivated to raise awareness in ethnic minority communities such as his, where he feels there "is a reluctance to get checked out" when it comes to serious medical issues. In the trailer of his documentary, Malik highlighted that cancer can choose anyone given the current lifestyle and other aspects of life. "There's a stigma with diseases like cancer, people just want to forget about it," he said. “I’ve managed to get ring-ready again. Nothing was ever going to stop me from wrestling,” Adil remarked. He added, "Know your body is normal and don't be afraid to get yourself checked out.”