Man's Sudden Distaste for Beer Led to a Blood Cancer Diagnosis

A 62-year-old man from England says one unexpected change to his daily routine convinced him it was finally time to see a doctor.

Andy Young, who had enjoyed beer for years and even brewed his own at home, noticed he had lost his taste for beer after developing what he initially thought was a mild illness. Further testing eventually led to a blood cancer diagnosis, revealing he had multiple myeloma.

An Unusual Change Prompted a Doctor's Visit

Andy, a retired financial controller from Harpenden, England, said he began feeling mildly unwell around Christmas 2025 with symptoms that resembled the flu. 

He also felt unusually tired but assumed he simply needed time to recover. The turning point came when he realized something felt different about his favorite drink.

Andy, who regularly enjoyed a couple of beers and had brewed his own for years, found it suddenly took him nearly three hours to drink a single bottle because he no longer enjoyed the taste. That unexpected change prompted him to make an appointment with his doctor.

Tests Led to a Multiple Myeloma Diagnosis

Initial blood tests showed that Andy’s kidneys weren’t functioning properly. Doctors advised him to drink more water while they continued investigating the cause.

In the next few weeks, he underwent additional testing, including ultrasounds, heart tests, and a bone marrow biopsy. 

In March 2026, doctors confirmed a multiple myeloma diagnosis. The disease is a cancer that develops in plasma cells in bone marrow. While treatment has improved significantly in recent years, currently, there’s no cure.

Could This Be One of the Signs of Blood Cancer?

Not necessarily. Medical experts do not recognize suddenly losing your taste for beer as one of the established multiple myeloma symptoms or one of the common signs of blood cancer. 

In Andy’s case, the unusual change happened along with other symptoms, including fatigue and a flu-like illness, and ultimately led him to seek medical care.

Some of the more common multiple myeloma symptoms include:

• Bone pain

• Fatigue

• Frequent infections

• Kidney problems

• Weakness caused by anemia

• High calcium levels in the blood

Many of these symptoms can also be caused by less serious conditions. That's why doctors recommend getting evaluated if symptoms persist or something doesn't feel right.

Treatment Is Already Showing Promise

Andy has completed several weeks of chemotherapy and is preparing for a stem cell transplant later this year in hopes of going into remission.

One encouraging sign, he says, is that his enjoyment of beer has returned. He believes the improvement may be linked to his kidneys functioning better as his treatment has progressed.

His Experience Is a Reminder to Pay Attention to Changes

Looking back, Andy said he never imagined cancer was the cause of his symptoms. He initially suspected a kidney problem, especially after passing a routine physical just two years earlier.

Now, he hopes his story will encourage others not to ignore any changes that seem unusual for them, even if they don't seem serious at first.

Again, losing your taste for beer isn't one of the typical signs of blood cancer, but, in Andy's case, it was enough to prompt a doctor's visit that ultimately led to a life-changing diagnosis. Sometimes it's those unexpected changes that deserve a closer look.

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