A cancer survivor from Rochdale has been given the option to learn self-acupuncture to help with the side effects his medication is having.
Neil Neaverson, age 62, from Rochdale, is one of the first patients at The Christie to benefit from self-acupuncture training.
The retired mainframe systems programmer was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2021. He had robotic surgery in 2022, followed by radiotherapy in 2024.
“During my pre-treatment radiotherapy consultation, they mentioned acupuncture,” said Neil. “When I started having hot flushes from the hormone-suppressing medication and was exhausted from lack of sleep, I asked to be referred.
“I was offered six acupuncture sessions as part of a group of three patients which worked really well as we talked, laughed, and supported each other. Towards the end of these, the therapist, Eileen Hackman, mentioned learning self-acupuncture. I was very enthusiastic.
“Eileen arranged a one-to-one guided session. She put the first needle in and then encouraged me to do the rest, giving me tips on how to find the right place for the needles. Eileen is a great teacher and is so positive and knowledgeable.
“My last acupuncture session at Withington was in December, and I have been doing self-acupuncture weekly at home ever since. It takes about an hour, which includes getting everything set up, putting the needles in, waiting for them to do their magic, and taking them out. I feel less discomfort from using the needles myself than if the therapist is doing it. Afterwards, I feel incredibly relaxed.
“It’s made a big difference. I’m down from eight or nine hot sweats a night to about three, and I sleep much better.
“When I was having acupuncture at The Christie, it took at least half a day, including up to an hour driving from home in Rochdale to Withington, finding somewhere to park, which wasn’t always easy, and sitting in the waiting room even before I had the acupuncture. Then the drive home again.
“I really benefit from the time and money saved through self-acupuncture and having the flexibilityto do it when it is most convenient, working around family and other commitments, rather than having a fixed appointment each week. If I do it a day early or late, it doesn’t matter. It’s also reduced my carbon footprint.
“If any Christie patients have problems that acupuncture can help with, I urge them to give it a go and see if it works for you. The support I have had from The Christie has been amazing.”
Integrative Therapy Health and Wellbeing lead Eileen Hackman believes that The Christie is the only centre offering self-acupuncture sessions for cancer patients, along with group acupuncture and one-to-one sessions with a therapist.
“Research has shown that acupuncture benefits cancer patients physically and psychologically and can help with the impact of their cancer and the side effects of cancer treatment,” said Eileen. “Patients describe it as life-changing and feel it enables them to regain some control. Many feel it makes their treatment and their lives easier to cope with.
“As a nurse, there is no greater privilege than watching patients like Neil, who was clearly struggling with his symptoms, to feel empowered to take an active role in his own recovery, health and wellbeing. It’s a testament to the true power of integrative therapy and the potency of personalised care.”
Acupuncture has been available at The Christie for many years, but with demand growing, Eileen decided to offer self-acupuncture to patients deemed eligible once they have received six treatment sessions in the hospital.
A one-hour appointment shows patients how to safely insert and remove the needles under guidance. The training session is tailored to each patient’s individual needs and symptoms, and they receive a written guide and access to a video showing how to locate the acupuncture points. Patients then get several follow-up phone calls to check their progress.
Neil’s health concerns date back to November 2017, when he visited Rochdale’s emergency walk-in centre with a urinary tract infection. A doctor there examined Neil and noticed his prostate was enlarged, referring him to the urology team at Rochdale Hospital. They arranged a blood test, which found that Neil’s Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) count was relatively high. He then had a biopsy, which was clear, so further blood tests were performed, and his PSA continued to be monitored.
During this time, Neil lost his wife Jenny to a Neuro Endocrine Tumour (NET) that had spread to her liver. Jenny was diagnosed in January 2018, and the cancer later spread to hergastrointestinal tract, ovaries, adrenal gland and eventually her pelvis. She passed away in October 2020, leaving Neil with his two boys,Fergus, who is now 19 and Oscar, who is 17.
A blood test in October 2021 showed that Neil’s PSA count was increasing, and in November, a second prostate biopsy found cancer. Neil opted to have robotic surgery at The Christie to remove the prostate in January 2022.
Despite having the surgery, Neil’s PSA level was still increasing, roughly doubling every six months. He was offered radiotherapy at The Christie at Oldham in January 2024, alongside hormone therapy, which is still ongoing.
“I seem to have responded well to the treatment,” said Neil. “My PSA level is starting to drop, which is a good sign. I get a hormone injection once every six months and am also monitored by The Christie twice a year.
“I cannot fault the staff at The Christie. They looked after me very well. The radiotherapy team at Oldham was really slick and so friendly. Nothing ever felt rushed or too much for them.”
Neil and his boys have a Westie dog called Archie, which keeps Neil fit as he walks the dog. Neil is also into mountain biking and hiking, has a camper van, and is the proud owner of a vintage 46-year-old Suzuki 750 bike.
In 2023 he took part in the famous Manchester to Blackpool bike ride for The Christie Charity as a thank you for the care he and Jenny had received.
