Lung Cancer & Tumour Marker Blood Test (Ascot Home Kit)

Never smoked and got lung cancer: how I beat the disease and recovered.

In early April 2014, I underwent a standard examination under voluntary health insurance. The The HPV and Lung Cardiologist did not hear my right lung during the examination and sent me for an X-ray. It showed that I had a massive tumour in my lung. The question arose: where to go next, where to get examined and treated. I was very confused, like many other people who were told that I have cancer.

Further to this at that time, I didn’t know I could get a referral to an oncologist at the clinic I needed for free. And so I chose the easiest path with a private exam. I paid for a quick examination. Examinations of the whole body (CT, ultrasound, genetic analysis) were necessary to understand exactly whether I had lymphoma or lung cancer. I am now 37 years old and the tumour appeared when I was 30.

Usually, this oncology affects older adults and smokers. Doctors can’t answer the question of why my body broke down easily and early, as I have no bad habits.

My Emotional and Practical hardships

During the checkup, I was nervous, depressed, and als I was very quiet. The people around me, including my friends also noticed it. And it wasnt until they made an accurate HPV diagnosis and started treatment, I tried to complete my projects as much as possible since I understood that I could fall out of the work rhythm for a long time. The final diagnosis did not add optimism either: an aggressive, inoperable tumour with metastases, the third stage out of four possible. Then, my boyfriend supported me a lot. And I told him about the diagnosis first off. However, I did not tell my parents until the last minute. As I understood it could affect them. So, when my dad found out about lung cancer, he moved to Moscow with me and helped me in every possible way. But Mom stayed home. She could not leave because of work.

Initial Treatments and Setbacks

And so, I went to other doctors for a different opinion. But they all agreed with each other. That the tumour was too big to be removed, it would be dangerous. So first of all, we knew that I needed to undergo alot of serious chemo. And of course, I was scared of chemo. Of course, I didn’t want to lose my hair. And I had read a lot about all the possible nasty side effects. But in general, I was far from being in a fighting mood, but I started treatment.

My chemotherapy regimens were changed several times, as my blood counts dropped critically and did not recover. I had nausea, weakness, and an allergy to one of the drugs. The chemistry did not work out. And the bad news was that the tumour continued to grow more. And the Doctors looked for a range of other treatment options. So, I was also prescribed some more but different radiation therapy, which I tolerated. Actually, it’s better than chemotherapy. I felt weak only after the first radiation sessions. As a result, the tumour decreased in size – this was the beginning of the victory over oncology.

The Tumor Returns and a New Strategy

Unfortunately, I have a very aggressive type of HPV cancer, so after a month and a half, the tumour appeared again in the lung and the lymph node. I started a second course of radiation therapy. In parallel with this, they conducted a genetic analysis of the tumour (they took a piece of it) to select targeted therapy more accurately.

In March 2016, my tumour was removed and sent to Germany for an extended mutation study. And in May, I received a response from there that immunotherapy with a new drug suited me. I was included in a clinical trial of this drug. The treatment was designed to last two years. Every two weeks, I was given the drug through an IV. There were side effects, but with the help of doctors, I coped with them. A month and a half after I started treatments, the reports showed that the tumour had shrunk dramatically which was great news.

Early Exit from the Trial

I couldn’t complete the full course of treatment with this drug due to severe dizziness, and the MRI of my brain revealed vascular changes. As a result, I only received treatment for a year. I think the body had become too exhausted from other chemotherapy and radiation, which is why this happened. But despite the early exit from the studies, immunotherapy helped me: the tumor did not grow. While I was undergoing immunotherapy, I continued to work.

I was very supportive at work as they all understood my condition. But I couldn’t come to the office during chemotherapy. And so I switched to remote work from home. Well, after two years of constant treatment, I was able to return to the office. Also, at work, they compensated part of the treatment costs. For this, I provided all the receipts for examinations and medications I had to buy at my own expense.

Now, I am in remission and living a normal life. I work, spend time actively, and meet with friends. I now have regular checkups every three months. But they will become less frequent over time.
A Journey of Resilience – Stephen Edwards’ Fight Against Cancer

My name is Stephen Edwards, I am 64. I am a graphic designer and active pensioner and I live in Birmingham. I am married and I have two daughters and a grandson, lucky me.

I want to say that there were no symptoms at all. And I didn’t feel sick either. I didn’t go to the local doctors. Also I didn’t even have a medical history with my GP. And also, i note that I was actively involved in a variety of sports. I was outstanding. I cycled, ran, walked, didn’t smoke, and didn’t drink alcohol.

I had a Life Changing Diagnosis

I got motivated and I wanted to warn everyone around me that avoiding doctors was my biggest mistake. Because now I understand that regular check-ups are crucial as your age increases. My mistake but I always thought there’s no need to waste time on doctors if it doesn’t hurt. But one then day, I had a slight fever. We called a doctor, who examined me and diagnosed a common cold. I felt much better the next day, but my wife insisted I go to the clinic. The checkup revealed a large tumour in the lungs. A biopsy test confirmed it was cancer.

It was that time of the year that the first of the frosts had set in. So, as I walked home from the clinic with the report, a large block of ice slid from a roof. Lucky, it just missed me.

After the chest X-ray, Dr. Mary Winters referred me for a CT scan and tumour marker tests. More tests followed. The process involved eliminating possibilities. First, they sent me to a respiratory clinic to rule out tuberculosis. The clinic conducted initial tests and prescribed a biopsy, but because their equipment was outdated, they referred me to another hospital. A month later, the biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of cancer. I was then referred to the local oncology unit. The oncologist recommended surgery to remove the lung and ordered a scan.

I was up for choosing The Royal Marsden Hospital

So, after researching on a local oncology centres, my family and I decided on the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. At my first onsite consultation, the doctor explained the plan. There was going to be chemotherapy first to shrink the HPV tumour, followed by removal surgery.

At The Royal Marsden, all the examinations were efficient. there was no delays. And the NHS covered treatment. They included me in an international treatment protocol, where a system randomly assigned either chemotherapy or immunotherapy. I received immunotherapy.

The immunotherapy was straightforward enough. There was two courses before surgery, and it was delivered via IV. But unlike chemotherapy, I experienced no hair loss, nausea, or severe side effects. The only inconvenience was lying down for hours during the infusion.

Each course required a week in the hospital for observation and NSE and other tests, with three weeks between treatments. After two rounds, the scans showed a reduction in the tumour, and they prepared me for surgery.

Surgery and Recovery

Dr Paul Conway and Dr Benjamin Khan performed the surgery in May 2019. They removed the tumour, the left lobe of my lung, and nearby lymph nodes. Thankfully, there were no metastases. I spent ten days in the hospital.

Recovery was challenging at first. Breathing with one lung required adjustment, and I experienced shortness of breath.

Family support was equally vital. For sure, my wife, my daughters, and my grandson, and close friends stood by me throughout this ordeal. I found that the emotional strength and practical help was very important to me. And their optimism and love gave me the courage to recover was vital to me keeping positive and getting through the suffering.

Now, I have routine CT scans every three months. So far, all the results show no recurrence. I’ve resumed my daily walks to try to help me recover. Though I still experience shortness of breath in the walks. And even though I intend to I haven’t returned to cycling yet. But I remain hopeful about that. My doctors have advised patience, as full recovery takes time.

I feel grateful for life. Each day brings progress, and I am determined to enjoy every moment.