A stonemason started cutting stone at 16, then decades later lost half a lung to cancer and found 3 more tumours

Athol Hill, a 56-year-old stonemason from Dunfermline, is currently facing a new battle after a scan revealed three additional tumours in his remaining left lung and on his pancreas. This news follows a long and difficult medical journey that started decades ago when he first began working on construction sites.

As reported by the LADbible, Athol started his career as an apprentice stonemason in 1986 at the age of 16. Back then, he was cutting stone right from the start of his career, which meant he was regularly inhaling respirable crystalline silica. 

This substance, also known as silica dust, can reportedly get into the lungs and cause permanent damage or even lead to fatal diseases. According to Athol, there were not many safety measures in place when he began, and he did not even hear about the dangers of silica dust until the 1990s.

He was diagnosed with scleroderma in 2000

His health struggles began to mount as the years passed. In 2000, he was diagnosed with scleroderma, a condition that causes skin to become hard and thick. This resulted in the amputation of his right index finger in 2006. By 2010, routine lung tests revealed that he had silicosis in both of his lungs. 

As time went on, his lung capacity continued to diminish, and he found himself feeling a lot more breathless at work. He has described his condition as a ticking time bomb, noting that his breathing is significantly affected by bad weather.

The situation became even more serious in December 2021 when a change in his breathing led to a CT scan and a subsequent diagnosis of lung cancer. By February 2022, doctors confirmed he had three malignant tumours and removed half of his left lung. While doctors were confident they had removed everything at the time, the recent discovery of new tumours in 2026 has brought fresh challenges. 

In September, he underwent surgery to have part of his pancreas and spleen removed. He is now waiting to see if he can receive chemotherapy, though he has been warned that the treatment could make his existing silicosis worse.

Athol has shared his story to warn younger workers about the risks he has faced. He noted that while it is too late for him, he hopes his experience can save lives in the future. He believes that education is the key to preventing others from suffering the same fate. He has urged younger guys to protect themselves from the start and to pester their employers for the best equipment available so they can enjoy a long and healthy career.

Athol still sees people failing to use proper protection when cutting stone. He emphasized that companies can put all the measures possible in place, but it is still down to the individual to stay safe. He remains committed to spreading the word about these dangers.