Back
Coronavirus: 'I can't get lifeline cancer trial in lockdown'
Jun 4, 2020
For years, Lesley Stephen has lived her life in three month chunks - roughly the time that passes between cancer scans.
The 54-year-old from Edinburgh has made no long-term plans in case her illness worsens.
Booking holidays is tricky but otherwise, Lesley says she enjoys a good quality of life with her family - a life she never thought she would see - due to treatment she receives through a clinical trial.
But because of lockdown, most trials have stopped taking on new patients or have halted completely.
"If you've got advanced cancer it's often a lifeline for you," said Lesley. "You're basically taking away a life or death option."
Athlete's cancer treatment hopes dashed due to lockdown 'More than two million' waiting for cancer care in UK Cancer surgery delays risk 'thousands' of deaths
What began as a persistent cough for Lesley was eventually diagnosed as metastatic breast cancer.
Scans showed the disease had spread to her lungs, liver and bones, and later to her brain.
By October 2015, she was told to put her affairs in order as she had exhausted most forms of NHS treatment.
However after being accepted for the last place on a drugs trial, Lesley said she felt a difference almost immediately.
She said: "It was unbelievable, previously I'd had so much cancer in my lungs I couldn't walk up the stairs and within five days I could tell the breathing was getting better.
5Shares
0Comments
1Favorites
3Likes
Say something to impress...
Loading...
Comments
Hot

No content at this moment.

Relevant people
BBC News
134121 Followers
News and more.
Related