Brothers' double cancer scare defies odds

Izzi O'Dea, 17 (left), and his brother Sam, 16, meet their hero, Warriors captain Steve Price. Picture / Martin Sykes

Two teenage brothers who were diagnosed with a rare cancer within 24 hours of each other say the experience has made them value life like never before.

Izzi O'Dea, now 17, was diagnosed with a nasopharyngeal carcinoma (a tumour in his nasal cavity) in June last year.

Less than 24 hours later, his brother Sam, now 16, learned he had the same cancer. Both boys' cancers are in remission.

Last night the pair met their favourite Warriors player, captain Steve Price, and his team at the CanTeen headquarters in Auckland.

"Steve is awesome, a real tank, and I'm really pumped to meet him," said Izzi.

Despite having had the same cancer, the boys, who live in Unsworth Heights on the North Shore, had different symptoms. Izzi suffered from migraines, while Sam developed two lumps on his neck.

The boys said having somebody else going through the same experience helped a lot.

"We could really relate to each other and give each other support and we would try and keep the humour up to help each other," Sam said.

The pair had radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which they said left them drained of energy.

"Our friends and family have been amazing. They've done loads for us and been really supportive," Sam said.

The brothers said they appreciated the things they used to take for granted.

"I know what life is worth now. I value the fact that I am alive and am able to do normal stuff. It's amazing we have lived," Izzi said.

The boys' father, Troy O'Dea, said it was unclear if the cancer was hereditary. The boys' younger sister Alethea, 11, had been tested but was in the clear, he said.

"My wife and I were already numb by the time we received the news that Sam had the same cancer. It was a real double whammy ... but we take every day as it comes and make the most of everything."

Price said CanTeen was doing a great job for children with cancer and meeting the boys had been inspirational.

* CanTeen's national fundraiser, Bandanna Week, runs from October 16 to 22.