A WIGAN dad-of-three whose cancer was discovered after he fell from his bike is living proof of the power of research.
Tom Mann is now backing a campaign to help fund more big breakthroughs.
Retired driving instructor and keep fit enthusiast Tom, 72, broke his collarbone and ribs when he suffered a fall from his bike.
Despite recovering from the initial injuries, Tom developed a chest infection and began to cough up blood.
Following an x-ray which found a shadow on his lungs, he was referred to a specialist and shocked to be told there was nothing wrong with his lungs, but he had bowel cancer.
Tom, who lives in Ashton-in-Makerfield with wife Janet, had keyhole surgery followed by six months of chemotherapy.
He faced further blows when the cancer spread to his left lung. Tom had a section of his lung removed at Wythenshawe Hospital, made a speedy recovery and carried on with his passion of running.
When he started to suffer breathlessness it was initially thought to be asthma. But a further investigation found a tumour had developed in his airway and was causing a huge blockage affecting his breathing.
Tom was once again admitted to Wythenshawe Hospital and had “debulking” which involved removing as much of the tumour as possible.
He also visited The Christie for three sessions of brachytherapy treatment.
Cancer Research UK pioneered brachytherapy, a type of precise internal radiotherapy that gives radiation from inside the body. A small radioactive material called a source or implant is put into the body, inside or close to the cancer. It delivers radiotherapy to the area, destroying the cancer cells, while limiting damage to nearby healthy tissue – reducing the risk of side effects for people like Tom.
uring the pandemic, Tom was told the cancer had spread again and he needed a lobectomy which involves the removal of one lung. Despite now living with one lung, Tom continues to run 20 miles per week and is a regular gym goer.
He only needs one more scan in August and will then be five years in the clear and deemed to be in remission.
Tom said: “It was such an enormous shock when I was told I had bowel cancer as I felt so fit and well. Without falling off my bike, I wouldn’t have been diagnosed so quickly as I had no symptoms.
“It’s thanks to advances in radiotherapy that I’ve been given the greatest gift: more precious time with my loved ones. And the chance to carry on running!
“Life-saving treatments are made by decades of testing, trialling and learning. I simply wouldn’t be here without the energy and commitment of Cancer Research UK scientists. Step by step they’re beating this devastating disease and donating monthly will make a huge difference to their work now and in the future.”
Success stories like Tom’s are made possible by the generosity of Cancer Research UK supporters. That’s why he’s urging people across the North West to help save more lives by donating monthly to the charity.
ancer Research UK scientists laid the foundations for modern radiotherapy back in the 1920s. After decades of research to innovate and improve it, today radiotherapy is used to treat more than 140,000 people every year in the UK,* from curing early-stage cancer to easing symptoms for people with terminal illness.
Tom knows firsthand the century-old treatment is far from old-fashioned and now he wants to see more patients benefit from progress like this.
The charity’s goal for ‘next-gen’ radiotherapy is making it more personalised and targeted so that everyone gets the best treatment for their cancer. In the last six years, it has committed £67million in developing RadNet – a network of seven centres of excellence aimed at fast-tracking advanced techniques and harnessing new technologies, like AI, to make radiotherapy smarter.
Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North West, Jane Bullock, said: “As the evolution of radiotherapy shows, we’ve been at the forefront of cancer research for over 100 years. From making it more targeted to combining it with other treatments and reducing the number of doses needed, Cancer Research UK has changed clinical practice worldwide and made radiotherapy kinder and more effective. But our work isn’t done yet.
“That’s why we’re grateful to Tom for helping to raise vital awareness and funds. We want to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer – no matter who they are or where they’re from. And monthly donations are critical to making this a reality.”
Support the future of cancer research at cruk.org/donate
