Cancer mum seeing some light in fight with disease
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AN Easter Ross mother whose daughters prayed for a miracle after she was told little more could be done for her following a cruel cancer diagnosis has sent a "don't give up" message to others after a remarkable response to pioneering treatment.
The latest scan results received by mum-of-three Lucy Wilson (38), who is battling endiometrial cancer, reveal that a seven-inch tumour has shrunk dramatically.
Ms Wilson, who refused to accept the grim prognosis and secured a place on a pioneering programme in London, believes her positive mental attitude has paid off.
The hairdresser, from Evanton, described the turnaround in her health as "amazing" and declared herself "so chuffed" with the latest news.
Five months after starting the trial, which she fought for, her immune system has been sparked to attack and shrink her tumour.
Ms Wilson said: "I'm so chuffed my positivity has won the day. From the moment I got down to London I was treated seriously and with care. I want people to know there are other options and not to give up. Ask for a second or third opinion and keep up the fight. Positivity helps."
She said: "It's just unbelievable how much pain I was in. I knew my body was starting to give up on me. I was having so many problems, blood clots, loss of appetite, breathing problems, lack of concentration, forgetting things, needing blood transfusion after blood transfusion, sleeping all the time and not being fit enough or able to walk far due to my swollen leg and just general weakness all over.
"My haemoglobin was so low I was getting infection after infection. But things have got so much better and I'm not having to constantly take strong painkillers."
Ms Wilson secured a place on the trial because her particular type of cancer made her a suitable candidate.
She said she found her way on to the London drugs trial after demanding a second opinion when consultants at Raigmore Hospital explained her condition and went through the treatment options.
She was referred to specialists at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow and sign-posted to a potentially life-saving drugs treatment trial for a procedure called immunotherapy at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.
Clinicians leading the trial are reporting "promising" results.
Dr Lucy Dumas, clinical research fellow at The Royal Marsden, said the trial was still open but it was an early phase clinical study with a limited number of slots available. Dr Dumas said: "The preliminary results for the group of patients that Lucy falls into were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology in Munich this year.
"Outcome data was available for 25 patients in the group of women with a particular type of endometrial cancer (MSI-H). The overall response rate was 52 per cent. It is early days but this is a promising treatment avenue for this group of patients and we look forward to seeing further results."
A spokeswoman at NHS Highland said almost all cancer patients are assessed and treated by a group of health care workers of different disciplines including professionals from other cancer centres in the north and throughout Scotland.
She said: "Such a process ensures that all patients have the best access and equitable availability to the best treatment.
"It also facilitates patient access to experimental clinical trials throughout the UK and in many cases with no additional cost to the patient by them having to travel. All patients benefit from this arrangement."
