The heart-wrenching moment when a Newcastle mum-of-three finds out that her treatment for oesophageal cancer has been a success is at the heart of a new TV campaign from Cancer Research UK.
Angela Archer features in the latest series of documentary-style films for the charity’s ‘Right Now’ campaign, which will be aired throughout July.
The footage shows Angela overcome with tears of joy on hearing that her has been successfully treated with major surgery. The 51-year-old can be seen hugging her doctor after she’s given the good news.
The ad’s message is clear – research saves lives.
In highlighting the reality of cancer for patients like Angela, Cancer Research UK hopes the ‘Right Now’ campaign will inspire Newcastle to support the charity and help give people more precious time with their loved ones.
Angela knows first-hand just how crucial new discoveries and treatment breakthroughs are in the fight against cancer.
In early 2018, Angela began experiencing discomfort when eating and drinking. She went to her GP and However, when the symptoms continued she returned to the GP and was sent for an endoscopy – a procedure that allows a doctor to view the inside of a person’s body.
Angela said: “I knew something was wrong. I had the endoscopy within a couple of weeks and they took a biopsy at the same time. It was all very quick – I was referred to see a specialist and then had more biopsies, and more detailed imaging scans of my body.
“The doctors said it was stage 2 oesophageal cancer and I would need surgery to treat it. Luckily, the cancer hadn’t spread through the wall of the oesophagus or to any lymph nodes.
“I gave up smoking and my surgery was booked in for early May 2018 at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. The procedure took 10 ½ hours, during which the surgeon removed my oesophagus and the cancer, before pulling my stomach up and reattaching it.
“It was major surgery. My emotions were all over the place at the time. I was so worried and kept thinking, ‘why is this happening to me?’
“I remember looking at my kids worrying about what might happen. I kept thinking, ‘will I come out of the op? Will I see my grandchildren grow up?’ It was a horrible few days.
“After I was discharged from hospital, I came home to recover from the surgery. The side effects from the surgery were difficult – I was sick all the time and lost a lot of weight. In July 2018 I had to go back into hospital for a few days as I was so sick that I couldn’t keep anything down.
“The doctors did more tests and found that my stomach wasn’t emptying quickly enough, which was causing me a lot of problems. I’ve had two more endoscopies where they fed a wire down to stretch my stomach, to help fix this.
“By Autumn 2018 I was feeling much better and starting to get back to normal life. I gradually started eating again, and at my follow up appointment in October the results came back clear.
“I call my surgeon Mr Magic Hands after what he has done for me.
“My advice to anyone now would be that if you have any symptoms, go and get them checked out. Don’t leave it too late.”
Angela now has check-ups every six months and will be monitored for the next five years.
Arul Immanuel, Consultant upper GI and laparoscopic surgeon at the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: Awareness, research, improved surgical techniques, high quality care and newer oncological regimes have seen a significant improvement in the survival of people with the disease.
“Investment into early diagnosis and research into cancer biology is imperative to improve the survival further.”
While we have made huge progress in many areas of cancer research, survival for some types of cancer remains stubbornly low. We call these ‘hard to treat cancers’, a list that
Cancer Research UK has made hard to treat cancers a priority, and as a result our annual spend on oesophageal cancer has more than trebled since 2013/14 to £16 million (from £5 million in 2013/14).
Angela is now keen to help raise money for more life-saving research, knowing the difference it has made to her personally.
She added: “My experience means that I understand all too clearly why Cancer Research UK’s work is so important. Success stories like mine would not be possible without research.
“I’m proud to be a part of this important campaign and I hope that people in the North East will donate or support in any way they can. Progress in the fight against this devastating disease relies on everyone who raises vital funds.
“I’m now making the most of my life. I moved to a new house in September 2018 and love walking my dog and spending time with my two grandchildren Colby, 6, and Miley, 3.
“I really want to give something back and am planning to hold a charity event at some point this year to raise money. We also hope to do the Race for Life this year and want to book a big holiday abroad for the whole family.”
One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives, but the good news is that more people are surviving the disease than ever before. , and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.
Jaelithe Leigh-Brown, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North East, said: “We are so grateful to Angela for sharing her cancer journey.
“Our ‘Right Now’ campaign aims to show the realities of the disease and the positive impact that research and improved treatments can have on people’s lives.
“Every hour, around 2 people in the North East are diagnosed with cancer.** That’s why we’re working every day to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease. But we can’t do it alone.
“There are so many ways to show your support here in Newcastle, from joining one of the Race for Life events taking place this summer, to volunteering in one of our shops or making a donation. Actions taken right now can make a real difference in helping more people survive. Together, we will beat cancer.”
To help support life-saving research, visit cruk.org
HELP SAVE LIVES RIGHT NOW
Every hour, 2 people are diagnosed with cancer in the North East**
Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, Cancer Research UK was able to spend over £5 million in the region last year on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research – helping more people like Angela, survive cancer.
There are lots of different ways people in Newcastle can take action, right now, to save more lives:
- Make a donation
- Join the Race for Life 5k, 10k or Pretty Muddy events taking place in Town Moor, near Exhibition Park Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th July, or Chester-le-Street Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids – Sunday 14 September
- Volunteer at a Cancer Research UK shop in the region