Lung cancer patient's tumor shrunk by experimental treatment
A LUNG cancer patient who was given only months to live is celebrating news her tumour has shrunk by 73 per cent following experimental treatment in Germany,
writes health reporter Diana Prince
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'THRILLED': Debbie Brewer, who has been given positive news after experimental cancer treatment in Germany
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Plymouth mother of three Debbie Brewer said she is "absolutely thrilled" with the final results of a nine-month course of specialised chemotherapy. The 49-year-old is campaigning for there to be trials of the treatment, which she paid for privately, in the UK.
Debbie, who travelled to Frankfurt for the results this week, said: "I was so anxious beforehand but this is brilliant news. Seventy three per cent down is a further 20 per cent on the results I received in December so I'm absolutely thrilled.
"It's a massive difference to go from being told you have months to live to being in remission."
Debbie was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, in November 2006.
The Ministry of Defence awarded her a six-figure compensation payment after she said the illness was caused by hugging her dockyard worker father Phillip Northmore as a child.
Told by doctors that she had between six and nine months to live, she travelled to Frankfurt for treatment after hearing of an experimental process being carried out by Professor Thomas Vogl. She used her compensation to pay for six sessions at the clinic.
The treatment is known as chemoembolisation and is more commonly used to fight liver cancer.
It introduces chemotherapy drugs directly to the tumour area through a catheter into the lung.
Since May last year, Debbie has paid for six sessions of the chemoembolisation at the University Clinic. Each session cost £3,500.
She will travel to Germany in three months as her progress is being monitored by Prof Vogl, who is trialling the treatment on mesothelioma patients.
Prof Vogl told The Herald he treats about 500 patients a year using the localalised chemotherapy.
He said the clinic has a 'success rate' of 60 per cent, which means they are able to prolong the life of 60 per cent of patients.
In January Debbie launched a petition calling for there to be trials of chemoembolisation for mesothelioma patients in the UK.
She recommended the treatment to liver cancer patient Stephanie Chouette, of Plymstock, who was this month told her tumour has shrunk by 20 per cent after her first session in Frankfurt.
Debbie's petition can be found on the Downing Street website – petitions.number10.gov.uk – and has so far attracted more than 1,000 signatures.
14 Comments
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by Theresa, Wembley
Friday, January 08 2010, 5:10PM
“My husband was diagnosed in May 09 experience at local hospital not good. We are trying to be referred to Barts and also going to enquire about Professor Vogl through my GP. Great news for you Debbie. We are so fed up with hearing nothing but bad news.”
by rose, plymouth
Monday, January 04 2010, 7:05PM
“i am so pleased for you bebbie, may husband also has meso he is 57.”
by Veronica White, Kent
Thursday, August 27 2009, 9:02AM
“Debbie is such an inspiration. I too have Mesothelioma and would like to get in touch with Debbie to see how she is now in August 2009. I have been participating in a drug trial for Sorafenib and have just been told it isn't working and my cancer have grown by 30% so I would like to consider every avenue.”
by Eth Mountfitchett, Banbury
Friday, March 13 2009, 11:22AM
“As a sufferer of mesothelioma this is the best news I've heard. I wish Debbie the very best of luck.
I shall be looking into the possibility of getting the treatment myself.
I urge everyone to sign Debbie's petition.
Thank you for printing the story”
by Roger Martin, Ham
Wednesday, March 11 2009, 6:36PM
“What a fighter this lady is. she is a fine example of a person who will not give up and i hope many more will get this treatment, this country needs to wake up and realise life is everything, but sometimes you have to fight for it.”