Kent’s cancer battle reshaping perspective as he reflects on Frilingos tragedy

Veteran rugby league journalist and close friend of the Fanatics Paul Kent has opened up on his cancer battle in a raw and emotional return to Kenty Blitz, detailing the physical toll of treatment while revealing how the experience has fundamentally changed his outlook on life - and rugby league itself.

Never one to shy away from the reality of his fight, Kenty detailed the aftermath of aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatment that his doctor initially labelled as as 'brutal'.

“I’ve lost 12 kilos… I haven’t had a solid meal for five or six weeks,” he said. “I’ve got ulcers all through my mouth and down my throat… it makes it basically impossible to eat.”

While he did reveal some of the more personal parts of his journey, such as food becoming unbearable Kent said the battle has forced a deeper reassessment of what truly matters.

“You do go through a period where you really figure out what actually means something to you and what doesn’t,” he said.

“There’s a lot of [stuff] in rugby league, I just see it all as a big game at the moment. Everybody’s arguing like sheep stations are at stake when at the end of the day, mate, it’s a footy game.”

In a somewhat uncharacteristic moment of vulnerability, Kent reflected on the passing of former colleague and rugby league journalist Peter Frilingos - a moment he says has stayed with him for years and shaped how he approaches his own health.

Kent recalled being present when Frilingos suffered a fatal heart attack at work, after ignoring symptoms for weeks.

“He’d been complaining about pains in his chest and down his arm for about six weeks and he didn’t go and get it checked,” Kent said.

“The sad part about it all is if he’d gone and got checked, the doctor would have diagnosed it… he could be alive today still.”

The tragedy left a lasting impression, prompting Kent to take a far more proactive approach to his own health - a decision that may have proved lifesaving.

“I’ve always been mindful, if something’s not right, get it looked at,” he said.

That mindset ultimately led to his own diagnosis after he noticed a lump in his neck by chance: "I had no clue I had anything wrong with mem" Kent continued, "I was just scratching my neck one day and I felt a lump. That began the journey.”

Kent confirmed his treatment has now ended, he said the recovery process is ongoing, with his body still feeling the effects of radiation and chemotherapy.

“Today is probably the first day I’ve felt like I’ve gone up rather than down,” he said.

A scan in three months will determine whether the cancer has been eradicated, with Kent prepared for whatever comes next.

“If it’s not gone, it means I have to go back and have more treatment. So be it… I’ll be ready for it.”

In sharing his story, Kent said he hopes others take heed - particularly when it comes to early detection.

“One in two get cancer in their lifetime, let’s just be vigilant,” he said.

While his return marks a positive step, Kent made it clear the experience has certainly altered his perspective - both on life and the often overblown dramas within the game he has long covered.