Henry Slade is the first high-profile British sportsperson to speak publicly of his concerns, which defy the advice of Government and clinicians.
Here are five things you should know about the England and Exeter Chiefs centre.
HENRY SLADE FACTS:
#1. Illness
Henry Slade has Type 1 diabetes, and often injects insulin at half-time in a game.
When asked if diabetes has changed him, Slade answered: “I wouldn’t say it’s changed my life. The way I look at it is you can’t change what’s happened to you. I’ve got diabetes and it’s something I just have to live with.
“It’s frustrating having diabetes, but it doesn’t stop you doing anything. You can do whatever you want, it’s just about having control and changing things like when you go out – you need something you can eat if you have a hypo.
“It shouldn’t limit you any way physically, though. It’s not going to affect how fast you can run or how strong you are. It’s just a matter of controlling it and if you can do that then there’s nothing you can’t do.”