THE MOMENT a mum-of-two was told her cancerous tumour had disappeared is at the forefront of a Cancer Research UK advert
Marrianne Ford, 43, from Totton, and her husband Derek, starred in the ‘fly on the wall’ film as her oncologist at University Hospital Southampton told her that she was cancer-free.
Marrianne received her diagnosis in March this year after finding a lump in her breast.
She has been taking part in a clinical trial (named PARTNER), partly funded by the charity, to find effective new treatments for patients with triple negative breast cancer.
After months of treatment, Marrianne's tumour has "melted away" and the moment she received the good news can be watched across the country.
She said: "When you are told you have cancer, your automatic reaction is to say: ‘How long have I got?’ To get such positive results was a massive relief.
"In February, I felt what I thought was a lump and by the end of the month I noticed it had grown. I contacted my GP and he requested an examination. I was then fast-tracked to the Princess Anne Hospital who carried out a mammogram and a biopsy.
"Two weeks later I was told it was cancer. I kind of expected it but I was extremely upset as you always think the worst.
"Although I had caught it early, it was aggressive and growing at about one centimetre a month. Then my oncologist offered me the chance to take part in the PARTNER trial which also offered a test for the faulty BRCA gene, which I was keen to do because I have two daughters.
"Whilst it was more intense chemo, it was something I felt quite privileged to be offered.
"I felt that if we can help others in this situation then all the better.
"The whole point of the treatment was to melt the tumour away. I knew it had shrunk but to get that confirmation that it had gone and to see it on screen really blew me away and when I told the family, everyone was crying. I hadn’t even finished my chemo."
Currently 1,200 people are diagnosed with cancer in Southampton every year.
Marrianne is backing Cancer Research UK’s ‘Play your Part campaign’ and encouraging people across Southampton to get help beat the disease.
She said: "Without the funds, the doctors, nurses and scientists cannot continue the research, and the research that’s been done so far just goes to prove that it’s helping to save lives."
Elisa Mitchell, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Southampton, said: "We are grateful to Marrianne for her support. This past year proves, more than any other, the value of research and what can be achieved together.
"That’s why we want to harness the ‘people power’ of our incredible supporters, because the progress we make relies on every hour of research, every pound donated and everyone who gets involved.
"With the help of people in Southampton we believe that together we will beat cancer."
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