Boy's Sore Throat Leads to Leukaemia Diagnosis

ABC Sunshine Coast

Topic: Leukaemia

Wednesday, 5 Aug 2026, 7:20 am

Naomi Turner's other kids miss Cooper at home.

In short:

A 10-year-old boy went to the hospital with a sore throat and started chemotherapy the next day.

His treatment will take about six months.

What's next?

A cancer expert says most sore throats are not cancer.

A mom says her son is sad to spend his birthday in the hospital after getting leukaemia.

Naomi Turner's son Cooper had low energy before his diagnosis.

He was very quiet.

Naomi Turner is sad about her son's cancer.

Cooper used to be very active.

He would play with his friends all afternoon.

But then he just sat at home.

Sore throat got worse

Three weeks ago, Cooper woke up with a very sore throat.

This is normal for kids, says his mom.

The doctor gave him antibiotics for tonsillitis.

But the antibiotics did not work, and the pain got worse.

Cooper's mom took him to the hospital.

He was in a lot of pain and not eating.

Cooper loves playing sports.

He went to the hospital again on July 27.

The next day, he started chemotherapy.

He was very sick.

The diagnosis was a shock to his mom.

She was very upset.

Then she started shaking.

A cancer expert says infections are a common symptom of leukaemia.

Sore throats can be a symptom of leukaemia.

The expert says most sore throats are not cancer.

Symptoms to watch

Look for sore throats that last a long time or are very severe.

If a kid loses interest in things they love, it could be a sign.

Cooper had a sore throat that was cancer.

Kids are usually very active, so if they get tired easily, it could be a sign.

Other symptoms include headaches, bruising, and bleeding.

Six months in hospital

Cooper is in the hospital and very tired.

His treatment will take about six months.

Naomi Turner says it's hard to watch her son suffer.

It's heartbreaking.

Seek medical advice

Leukaemia is rare in kids.

The expert says cancer is uncommon in children.

This kind of cancer is more common in older people.

Cooper will be in the hospital for six months.

Most symptoms are not due to leukaemia, but if they last, see a doctor.

Naomi Turner says parents should seek medical advice if they're worried.

If you think something is wrong, fight for it.

ABC Sunshine Coast news

More news from ABC

Promotion