When martial arts champion Adam Sager went to a doctor complaining of a sharp pain under his ribs and fatigue, he was told it was probably because he was training too hard.
Less than a year later, the notorious asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma had claimed his life at the tender age of 25.
Those harrowing months, involving a shock diagnosis and multiple hospital visits - and all the days since - are an ordeal his parents, Don and Julie Sager, don't want another family to endure.
That's why the Brisbane couple have become advocates calling for do-it-yourself home renovators to ensure they have all the proper safety checks conducted on their home before starting.
The Sagers bought their first home in Townsville in the early 1980s when Adam was a toddler and, to save money, sanded back the walls themselves to prepare for painting.
They weren't aware the walls contained asbestos and they weren't aware of the risk facing themselves or their baby boy.
Mrs Sager said when Adam was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2006, they worked backwards to their first home to work out how he could have become exposed.
"I was stunned and Don was devastated," she said.
Her husband said the realisation they inadvertently endangered their son was the driving force behind making other families aware of the risk.
"It may not be you working with the material (that's affected), it's those around you, you have to be careful of - the innocent bystander," Mr Sager said.
He said he feared there could soon be an influx of people at risk of developing the disease as older asbestos-ridden homes deteriorate.
"All the old homes now are due for renovation and everyone's moving into homes and that's the first thing they do is change things, so this is why we need to make sure everyone is aware," Mr Sager said.
The couple were joined by Queensland Employment Minister Grace Grace and rugby league great Trevor Gillmeister to spread the message as professional asbestos removalists and tradies on Thursday worked together to rid their home of asbestos.
Mr Gillmeister, who became an asbestos awareness advocate after his dad died of mesothelioma, said although safety checks cost money, not getting one done could cost a life.
"You're a boofhead if you try to do things by yourself," he said.
"Investigate before you renovate."
