Cancer fighter calls on patients to help with vital research
AFORMER police officer who was told to prepare for the worst when diagnosed with cancer is encouraging other patients to take part in vital medical research.
Paul Ellis, 66, from Macclesfield, has made the plea to mark International Clinical Trials Day, which is on Thursday, May 20.
The ex-detective and traffic officer was told he had bile duct cancer in November last year and is currently on a clinical trial with the Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
He said: “When I was first diagnosed, I was told to prepare for the worst, but thankfully I am living proof about how beneficial clinical trials can be.
“Even when you think you’re at the end of the line, this vital research can be a ray of hope.
“I’d encourage anyone in a similar situation to consider a trial if they are given the opportunity.”
Paul, who was also an examiner at Macclesfield Driving Test Centre, in Cheshire, is on a phase three trial that involves a full day of chemotherapy twice every three weeks.
It involves blood tests and being placed on a drip to receive drugs intravenously which can make him feel temporarily unwell and tired.
The trial started in January and only a few months later his health has improved and scans show his tumour has reduced by a third.
But the long days and travel mean that Paul, a dad and grandfather, is looking forward to the £26m Christie in Macclesfield opening at the end of the year.
He expects to be on the treatment indefinitely and said: “I definitely think I have the clinical trial to thank for the new lease for life I have.
“I was really quite poorly before starting treatment, but now I have hardly any pain and I feel so much better and stronger.
“I try not to put a clock on it because I know I am in the best place, getting the best treatment, but there is no doubt that having my treatment closer to home would be an advantage, for both me and my family.
“The new Christie Centre in Macclesfield will make a huge difference to patients like me and others who follow.”
Dr Richard Hubner, who leads Paul’s treatment, said: “Clinical trials are vital for developing new treatments, making sure they are safe and more effective than current ones.
“But we wouldn’t be able to carry out this important work without the support of patients like Paul. He has shown an excellent response to his trial and we are delighted.
“What we learn from Paul’s response to the treatment will ultimately help many patients like him in the future.”
The Christie run around 650 clinical research annually, lasting few weeks to several years.