Battling Bill takes on cancer for sixth time
Barry Brown, known to his friends as Bill, was first diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in 1994.
Since then the 74-year-old has been hit with bowel and prostate cancer, as well as recurrences of the first disease, but it wasn't until he was having a scan following an operation for bowel cancer that a mass was discovered in his lung.
"I had a CAT scan for the bowel and that was all clear but the doctors found this mass on my right lung," said Barry, who smoked from the age of 15 until he was 36. "I knew nothing about it."
A further biopsy revealed a malignant tumour that was inoperable.
Bill, who is married to Valerie, aged 69, and has two children, was then put on a course of chemotherapy, but after suffering a reaction he travelled to Germany for specialist radiotherapy.
"He wasn't very well when we went out to Germany because the chemo had knocked him so much," said Valerie, "but the doctors said there was a possibility that the cancer would be curable with this treatment.
"He couldn't even walk very well when we first got there, but when we came back it was quite easy for him to get around."
Bill explained that the treatment, which is not widely available in the UK, directed radiotherapy into a localised area around the tumour rather than covering a broad area of the body.
After a month-long course of the radiotherapy the couple returned home at the end of August and although it's too soon to know whether the treatment has been successful, Bill says he is optimistic.
"We just enjoy life, and whilst I know I've got cancer and I respect the cancer, I don't let it dominate me," he said.
Since he was first hit with the disease 15 years ago Bill and his wife have taken on a new lease of life, jet-setting across the world on holiday.
China, India and South America are just a few of places the couple have visited, with many more destinations on their itinerary still to explore.
Valerie said: "After the first cancer I asked the doctor what the timescale was for Bill and they said, 'Let him go on any holiday if he wants,' and that was the first holiday we went on.
"We've enjoyed our holidays and we've got many more to enjoy."
And speaking about his disease to highlight Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Bill said: "The important thing is if you have any doubts, go and see your GP; don't say it will go away because it doesn't.
"I didn't have any symptoms for this lung cancer and to this day I don't feel ill apart from the chemo, but if it wasn't for the chemo I probably wouldn't be here."
LUNG CANCER: the facts
AROUND 39,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer in the UK every year.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month; now in its seventh year, the campaign aims to educate people about spotting the signs of the disease early.
Run by the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation (RCLCF) alongside Macmillan Cancer Support, the month- long campaign is intended to shed more light on the disease, which is thought to be the most common cancer in the world.
NHS Plymouth and RCLCF are highlighting a number of early signs to look out for:
A cough that doesn't go away after two to three weeks.
Worsening or change of a long- standing cough.
Repeated chest infections.
Coughing up blood.
Unexplained persistent breathlessness.
Unexplained persistent tiredness.
Unexplained persistent weight loss.
Persistent chest/shoulder pain.
For more information call the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation's free helpline on 0800 358 7200.
'IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS, SEE A DOCTOR': Barry Brown, known as Bill, with his wife Valerie
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