Port Talbot Guardian (KC) 09-Oct-08
From Kidney Cancer Resource
To Go To Port Talbot Guardian (KC)
John Beynon loses cancer fight
by Andrew Pugh, Port Talbot Guardian
THE family of a Port Talbot grandfather of eight who battled for a pioneering drug have described their heartache after he lost his long fight against cancer.
In February 2007 doctors gave John Beynon, 58, just six months to live – but he bravely fought on for another 18 months after finally getting the cancer “wonder drug” Sutent.
His funeral was held at Margam Crematorium on Friday after John died on September 27.
His daughter, 36-year-old Sian Thomas, of Sandfields Road, said his death came as a shock to his devastated family.
Earlier this year, the father-of-three was told the drug was working and his tumour was under control, but his health deteriorated in recent weeks.
[[]]_BEYNON,_John_%26_daughter_Sian.jpg)
John Beynon & his daughter Sian]]
Mr Beynon, a former carpenter, suffered from a rare form of cancer called GIST (gastro-intestinal stromal tumour).
It does not respond to chemotherapy or radiotherapy – but it does respond to Sutent.
Mrs Thomas said: “He put up a hell of a fight.
“We believe that Sutent definitely gave him a few months more. If he had the drug when he wanted it back in February 2007, he may have lived longer.
“But he got another 18 months – and that’s a long time.
“He got to see things we would otherwise have missed, like my brother Nigel getting married earlier this year, when he went along to the service, and his grandchildren going through school. He was so landed and so proud of them.
“I’m adamant that without the drug these are things he would never have been able to see – we have some great memories from the last few months.”
The Guardian first highlighted Mr Beynon’s case last August, after his family vowed to do whatever they could to get the drug. After handing a 4,000-name petition to Neath Port Talbot Local Health Board, they eventually won their battle in October.
Sutent is a kidney cancer drug – also used to treat GIST tumours – clinically proven to shrink tumours and prolong the life of cancer patients.
It costs £3,139 for a six-week cycle, and £25,112 a year.
Last month, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) said the drug should be rejected on the grounds of cost.
It is routinely available in most European countries and in the US.
Mrs Thomas added a few words of advice to families who find themselves in a similar position.
“I recommend to fight all the way – every day is a bonus,” she said.
To view the original article Click Here
Disclaimer
Kidney Cancer Resource (KCR) is not influenced by sponsors. The information contained herein is not intended as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other licensed health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and information purposes only. Early accurate Diagnosis (Dx.) saves lives. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill, never ignore Symptoms. To help your health care specialist make an accurate Diagnosis please keep notes of dates, times and details of your Symptoms. We are not offering medical advice nor do we consider links, individuals or articles accessed through this site to be offering medical advice.
E&OE - Errors & Omissions Excepted
As much of the information posted on this Web Site for peoples convenience is of a medical or technical nature, and may be a matter of life or death the E&OE is a Disclaimer showing that to the best of our ability information is accurate and correctly written or transcribed. Before acting on information on this site you are responsible for checking it with your relevant medical team. We can not be held responsible for any Errors & Omissions made; nor for information on links and articles provided in good faith.
