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Survivors
The statistics can be overwhelming, a diagnosis of lung cancer can seem like a death sentence, and there is no question about it, this is a devastating disease which claims lives. However, lung cancer patients do survive, particularly if there has been an early diagnosis, and here, a survivor tell his story.
Tom Haswell: Patient advocate & founder member of the Glasgow Patient Support Group.
- You were diagnosed with lung cancer 10 years ago, can you tell us what happened?
I went to Saudi Arabia to start a new job, subject to passing a medical examination which I had the morning after I arrived. I was shown my chest x-ray and then told that I had lung cancer. I came back to Scotland armed with a portfolio of scans and x-rays, and had a number of tests following which I was told that there was nothing they could do for me except offer palliative radiotherapy. The prognosis was that I had another 3-9 months left to live. Shortly afterwards I was offered the chance to take part in a clinical trial at the Beatson Oncology Centre, and I jumped at the chance as I felt I had nothing to lose. I underwent six months of chemotherapy then 3 weeks of radiotherapy by the summer of ’94, and since then I have had no further treatment. It’s 2003 and I’m still here!
- What has been your attitude and feelings towards the disease?
I never felt “why me?”, or wanted to blame anyone or anything. Unfortunately, it was one of the hands that life dealt me which I had to overcome. Getting through it was tough and it was a traumatic time for me and my family.
- We keep hearing about patient involvement, how can it make a difference?
The NHS and Health Executives are now at a stage where they actually seem to be showing an interest in patients and what they have to say. Patients know the problems that exist more than anyone else, so it’s important that their opinions and experiences are listened to and taken on board. The more patient involvement there is, the higher the profile of the disease which will hopefully result in more research, better access to treatments and more resources being allocated.
- Being so actively involved, you must have seen a lot of changes and developments over the last 10 years, what stands out for you the most?
There are several developments which I feel have made a positive impact. One of the best things to happen in the last few years has been the lung cancer specialist nurses whom patients and relatives can contact with any questions or concerns that they may have. It’s additional support which makes a big, big difference. Access to lung cancer patient support groups is another important development because when I was diagnosed there was no support offered and no help available. Some exciting new developments in the pipeline are the prospect of new scanning procedures and new ways of using drug therapies.
- What do you think are the key messages that need to be heard regarding lung cancer?
One of the main messages is to highlight the importance of early diagnosis. However, this needs to be followed up with a ‘fast track’ approach to treatment, because what’s the point of being diagnosed early if you have to wait months before the start of treatment. I think we should also be looking at a screening programme, which again should help with early diagnosis. There’s also still a stigma attached to lung cancer, it’s often seen as a ‘dirty’ disease and one that’s self inflicted due to the strong associations with smoking. So I’d like to see that change and have less blame attached to sufferers of the disease.
- What would you say to someone who has just been diagnosed, or is currently being treated for lung cancer?
Accept that lung cancer is a serious illness, but people do live with it and survive it. Try to keep an upbeat attitude, even although this can be hard to do. Your doctors and nurses will give the best possible treatment for your type of lung cancer which will hopefully result in a positive outcome. Stay optimistic and take one day at a time.