Don’t delay seeking help, say two North Yorkshire residents after cutting-edge cancer treatment
Barbara Cox, from Northallerton, was rushed to The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough in July when she thought she had contracted COVID-19 – but within three days the 75-year-old had been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer.
Barbara, who used to be a healthcare assistant, is now the first patient within South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to be treated using a newly approved method of taking an immunotherapy drug called Atezolizumab alongside her chemotherapy.
And marathon runner Graham Molyneux, from Harrogate, has urged people not to let coronavirus stop them from getting checked out after undergoing successful robotic surgery for prostate cancer.
Barbara said: “I feel really pleased that I’m trying the new treatment and I hope it helps other people in the future.
“I cannot fault the team at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. I have not had to wait for anything and they have all been kind and very supportive. If there is anyone out there that is feeling unwell please don’t delay seeking medical advice because you are worried about going into hospital."
I felt at ease the whole time I was in hospital and when I go in for my appointments and treatment I always feel safe.
‘Do not delay getting help if you spot symptoms’
Immunotherapy is designed to stimulate the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells.
Dr Talal Mansy, consultant medical oncologist, said that despite the challenges through the coronavirus pandemic, as soon as the NHS gave approval for the use of immunotherapy (Atezolizumab) with chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer, the trust’s pharmacy team, schedulers, outpatient and chemotherapy nurses all pulled together quickly to allow Barbara to be the first patient in the region to be able to be treated with this outside of trials.
The hospital trust is urging patients not to delay in seeking urgent medical advice if they notice any cancer symptoms because of the coronavirus pandemic.
From March to August 2020 the trust has diagnosed 1,143 cancers and has delivered 915 ‘first’ cancer treatments during that same period.
Prostate cancer referrals have halved since the beginning of lockdown according to analysis of NHS data by Prostate Cancer UK, with 27,000 fewer men being referred to a specialist with suspected cases compared with the same period last year.
Graham, 58, has been a keen runner for 30 years, completing 31 marathons to date. He said: “I didn’t have any symptoms, but as my wife is a nurse and I’m quite health conscious I thought at my age it’s always good to get yourself checked out – and I’m glad I did. Guys can get a bit squeamish when it comes to this, but it’s so important to go and speak to your GP.”
In February 2019 Graham went to his local GP for a PSA test – a blood test to help detect prostate cancer – which revealed that further investigation was required. Graham had a biopsy which showed there were cancer cells in his prostate and that he would need surgery to have it removed. He chose to be referred to The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
Following his surgery, Graham took park in a post-op support group for patients who were recovering from recent surgery for prostate cancer. The group was set up by the trust and led by urology nurses.
He said: “I got a lot from it. It was good having that support mechanism in a very open forum, talking to people who are going through what you are and shows you that you’re not alone.”
The surgery was a success and Graham, who works as an accountant, was back at work within seven weeks and back to his main passion: running.
He said: “I was very fortunate that all the cancer was removed and 16 months later I’m doing well. Initially I had to have a PSA check every three months for the year following my operation. I now have a check every six months and will do for the next ten years.”
David Chadwick, urology consultant at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is important that patients do not ignore any symptoms that might require urgent attention. Speak to your GP if you have symptoms or are concerned about any risk factors associated with prostate cancer.
We want to reassure people that we are open, and will remain open, for people affected by cancer and that we continue to work very hard to ensure all patients who have to attend hospital are treated as safely as possible during these challenging times.
