Cancer: Role of autophagy in eliminating cancer cells
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Mr Glynn, 51, said he “wouldn’t be here” if it wasn’t for the astonishing results of the trial run by the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester. Back in August 2020, the welder from Worsley, Greater Manchester, was diagnosed with a deadly form of cancer in the bile duct inside his liver, which had spread to his adrenal gland. In an interview to PA news agency, Mr Glynn said: “When I was given the option to take part in research, I jumped at the chance.
“You do anything you can to extend your life. I feel very lucky as I had the cancer for two years and had no idea.”
While the experimental nature of the cancer drug treatment means it can’t be named at this stage, according to the Daily Mail, Mr Glynn has found it “overwhelming” to get the all-clear.
“In an odd kind of way, having the diagnosis has turned my life around,” he told PA.
“With my partner, Simone, we get out in nature and walk loads. When something like this happens you realise life is for living.”
Bile duct cancer
Referred to as cholangiocarcinoma, by the NHS, the symptoms of bile duct cancer can include:
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow (jaundice), you may also have itchy skin, darker pee and paler poo than usual
- Loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
- Feeling generally unwell
- Feeling tired or having no energy
- A high temperature, or you feel hot or shivery
- Feeling or being sick
- Pain in your tummy.
It’s advisable to see a doctor if any of these symptoms do not resolve themselves within two weeks, or if they get worse.
If you have lost weight over the past six to 12 months without trying to, this also warrants a visit to your local health practitioner.
In addition to immunotherapy, Mr Glynn underwent chemotherapy and surgery.
When the cancer has spread, like it has in Mr Glynn’s case, the purpose of surgery is to help improve symptoms – and not to cure the cancer.
The NHS explains: “This can include surgery to unblock the bile duct or stop it getting blocked, which helps with jaundice.”
Surgery could be utilised to unblock or prevent the first part of the small intestine from getting blocked, which can help ease nausea.
Chemotherapy is medicine used to kill cancer cells and to help stop the cancer from coming back.
Mr Glynn also overhauled his diet, removing “all processed foods, refined sugar, dairy and milk”.
Mr Glynn stated he now has a smoothie “every day, and lots of organic fruit and vegetables”.
“I realised you can’t just rely on the doctors to help you. You need to help yourself too,” Mr Glynn said.
“It’s also important to remain positive and not give up. It’s never over until it’s over.”
How to minimise cancer risk
Cancer research UK state that not all cancers can be prevented, but there are things you can do to minimise your risk of developing the disease.
Six factors to help minimise cancer risk include:
- Being a non-smoker
- Being a healthy weight
- Eating and drinking healthily
- Drinking no alcohol
- Being more active
- Being safe in the sun.
“By making healthy changes now, you can make a difference to your health in the future,” says Cancer Research UK.
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