By Sarah Nicholls

Last updated at 12:55, Monday, 07 January 2013

A WORKINGTON man died from cancer he did not know he was suffering from, an inquest heard.

Retired steel erector Thomas Edgar, 67, of Mossbay Road, died at Whitehaven’s West Cumberland Hospital on July 12 last year.

On the day of his death Mr Edgar had been feeling ill and was not fit enough to go to bed.

His wife suggested that he should sleep in the living room and she stayed with him there.

His speech became slurred and he collapsed on the floor.

The inquest heard that his wife rang for an ambulance and paramedics took him to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A post-mortem showed that he died of cancer, which had spread from his colon to other parts of his body.

A blood clot travelled to his lungs, causing a blockage.

Coroner David Roberts said that the pancreatitis – an inflammation of the pancreas – could have masked the development of cancer.

Mr Edgar had retired aged 57 because of ill health.

He had had his gallbladder removed, had pancreatitis and had been diagnosed with dementia.

Mr Roberts recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

Mr Edgar, who was born in Workington, lived with his wife Susan.

He was a keen football fan and played for Workington Reserves in his youth.

He was also a season ticket holder at Manchester United.

First published at 11:01, Monday, 07 January 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk