This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/7517414.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
'The change has been phenomenal' | 'The change has been phenomenal' |
(1 day later) | |
Simon was in constant painIn the spring of 2007 Simon Bush, 50, from London, had to accept that he was probably dying. | Simon was in constant painIn the spring of 2007 Simon Bush, 50, from London, had to accept that he was probably dying. |
The successful banker had been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer, which was at an advanced stage. | The successful banker had been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer, which was at an advanced stage. |
But then he was signed up to a trial of a new drug called abiraterone. | But then he was signed up to a trial of a new drug called abiraterone. |
"I had just completed six months of chemotherapy, which had not affected the disease, which was growing quite rapidly," he said. | "I had just completed six months of chemotherapy, which had not affected the disease, which was growing quite rapidly," he said. |
"I had prostate cancer in the soft tissue, and in my bones. I was in fairly severe pain at that stage, on painkillers daily. | "I had prostate cancer in the soft tissue, and in my bones. I was in fairly severe pain at that stage, on painkillers daily. |
"As every day went by I was less and less able to do anything of any active nature. | "As every day went by I was less and less able to do anything of any active nature. |
The prognosis was very poor - I had effectively failed all the standard treatments Simon Bush | |
"The prognosis was very poor. I had effectively failed all the standard treatments. | "The prognosis was very poor. I had effectively failed all the standard treatments. |
"I was referred to the Royal Marsden, and started the drug in May 2007." | "I was referred to the Royal Marsden, and started the drug in May 2007." |
The progress of prostate cancer is measured by monitoring levels of a protein - prostate specific antigen (PSA) - which is produced by the cancer. | The progress of prostate cancer is measured by monitoring levels of a protein - prostate specific antigen (PSA) - which is produced by the cancer. |
As he started treatment, Simon's PSA level was 100 nanograms per millilitre of blood - around 35 times the norm for a man of his age. In his bones, it was much higher. | As he started treatment, Simon's PSA level was 100 nanograms per millilitre of blood - around 35 times the norm for a man of his age. In his bones, it was much higher. |
Simon and his wife Nana have been able to travel the world in the last year | Simon and his wife Nana have been able to travel the world in the last year |
"Within a week of starting the drug my PSA level had dropped to 38, and three weeks later had dropped to eight. A month after that it was four, which is virtually normal. | "Within a week of starting the drug my PSA level had dropped to 38, and three weeks later had dropped to eight. A month after that it was four, which is virtually normal. |
"Although it took me a while to believe it, my pain virtually disappeared within two to three weeks of starting the trial drug, and I stopped painkillers completely a month after taking the drug. | "Although it took me a while to believe it, my pain virtually disappeared within two to three weeks of starting the trial drug, and I stopped painkillers completely a month after taking the drug. |
"It had a phenomenal impact on our day-to-day living. | "It had a phenomenal impact on our day-to-day living. |
"All I know is that I could do virtually nothing back in April a year ago. | "All I know is that I could do virtually nothing back in April a year ago. |
"Today I am about as active as I could possibly be. | "Today I am about as active as I could possibly be. |
"We have travelled all over the world, and I have actually been skiing, which, given the severity of my bone disease 14 months ago, is hard to imagine. | "We have travelled all over the world, and I have actually been skiing, which, given the severity of my bone disease 14 months ago, is hard to imagine. |
"There are virtually no side-effects at all. It is a very simple drug to take. The only thing is that I have put on a bit of weight." |
Previous version
1
Next version