PHD student with inoperable cancer told ‘NHS can’t provide drugs to prolong his life’

14.04.2019 20:04

«Metro UK»

PHD student with inoperable cancer told ‘NHS can’t provide drugs to prolong his life’

'I know I can definitely extend my life.'

A young scientist with terminal cancer is fundraising for treatment abroad after being told the NHS can’t offer life-extending treatment.

Scott Stinson, 25, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2018 after going to his GP thinking he had hurt his arm in the gym.

He had chemotherapy to try and cure it, but it ended up weakening the bone so badly he fractured it in two places as he was getting dressed one morning.

Undated family handout photo of Scott Stinson, a young scientist who specialises in cancer research. He has launched a funding appeal after he was diagnosed with a rare type of bone cancer. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Thursday April 11, 2019. After he was told the cancer had spread to his lungs, making any further treatment only life-extending, he launched a funding appeal for potential curative options after exhausting all possible treatments available on the NHS. See PA story ULSTER Cancer. Photo credit should read: Family handout/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. — Scott Stinson, 25, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2018 after going to his GP thinking he had hurt his arm in the gym (Picture: PA)

Undated family handout photo of Scott Stinson and his girlfriend Becky. Stinson, a young scientist who specialises in cancer research, has launched a funding appeal after he was diagnosed with a rare type of bone cancer. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Thursday April 11, 2019. After he was told the cancer had spread to his lungs, making any further treatment only life-extending, he launched a funding appeal for potential curative options after exhausting all possible treatments available on the NHS. See PA story ULSTER Cancer. Photo credit should read: Family handout/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. — Scott, pictured with his girlfriend Becky is now trying to raise money for life-extending treatment (Picture: PA)

But after being rushed to hospital he needed to have the arm amputated, and was told the cancer had spread to his lung – making it inoperable.

Scott, who was studying for a PHD at St. Andrews University when he was diagnosed, said: ‘There is nothing more doctors can do for me now. I know I’m going to die.

‘I know I I can definitely extend my life. It’s extremely important to me to spend as much time with my family as girlfriend as I can.

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‘I’m living my own dream and want to live it as I am for as long as possible. I am very happy with my life.

‘How or where I spend the time I have remaining does not matter, as long as I can be in the presence of loved ones, having a laugh and appreciating all the little surprises that life has to offer us.

‘I want to insure that I have the most time available to me that I can get, and if my condition improves through the pursuit of new treatments that will be an amazing bonus.’

Undated family handout photo of young scientist Scott Stinson who specialises in cancer research and has launched a funding appeal after he was diagnosed with a rare type of bone cancer. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday April 10, 2019. Stinson, a chemistry graduate from Northern Ireland, has inoperable cancer after it spread to his lungs. The 25-year-old, from Newcastle in Co Down, was studying for a chemistry and nanotechnology PhD at St Andrews University in Scotland last April, when he was diagnosed with bone cancer. See PA story ULSTER Cancer. Photo credit should read: Family handout/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. — He arm needed to be amputated after the cancer spread (Picture: PA)

Determined Scott, who had planned to work in cancer research, has now launched a campaign to raise £120,000 to pay for treatment abroad to extend his life for much longer.

The drugs and immunotherapy treatments aren’t available on the NHS and will cost up to £55,000 at a time – with an indefinite monthly follow up care costing £400.

PHD student with inoperable cancer told 'NHS won't provide drugs to prolong his life'

He also hopes to have his tumours sequenced so specialists can prescribe Scott powerful drugs that match his genetic profile.

Osteosarcoma usually develops in growing bones and is most common in teenagers and young adults, especially in young males.

Its rarity means there is a lack of a market large enough to gain support and resources for discovering treatments for it.

‘I did ask how long I have to live but I’ve tried to specifically avoid knowing exactly how long,’ Scot said.

Scott Stinson. A young scientist with inoperable cancer is asking for help to prolong his life and fight back against the disease which has already taken his WHOLE arm. See SWNS story SWOCarm. Scott Stinson, 25, was diagnosed with bone cancer last year, after suffering with shoulder pain he initially thought was caused by exercising in the gym. His right arm became so weak it fractured it in two places just putting on a t-shirt, and when chemotherapy didn't work, he had to amputate his whole limb and shoulder. But the cancer had already spread to his lung, and any treatment available on the NHS wouldn't cure him. Determined Scott, who had planned to work in cancer research, has now launched a campaign to raise ??120,000 to pay for treatment abroad to extend his life for much longer. — Osteosarcoma usually develops in growing bones and is most common in teenagers and young adults, especially in young males (Picture: SWNS)

‘I was told it could be just six months, but that was six months ago. The progression differs from person to person.

‘I was devastated. My thoughts were about the family I’ll leave behind.

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‘The arm was a sacrifice I was happy to make. But I knew deep down the outlook was bleak.’

Scott’s mum and dad Jill and Harry Stinson, 53 and 58, set up a GoFundMe page and so far his friends and family have raised £50,000.

He hopes to begin the first round of private life-extending treatment by the end of April.

Scott Stinson with girlfriend Becky Hollis at halloween. A young scientist with inoperable cancer is asking for help to prolong his life and fight back against the disease which has already taken his WHOLE arm. See SWNS story SWOCarm. Scott Stinson, 25, was diagnosed with bone cancer last year, after suffering with shoulder pain he initially thought was caused by exercising in the gym. His right arm became so weak it fractured it in two places just putting on a t-shirt, and when chemotherapy didn't work, he had to amputate his whole limb and shoulder. But the cancer had already spread to his lung, and any treatment available on the NHS wouldn't cure him. Determined Scott, who had planned to work in cancer research, has now launched a campaign to raise ?120,000 to pay for treatment abroad to extend his life for much longer. — Scott said he’s holding out hope treatment could ‘extend my life indefinitely’ (Picture: SWNS)

Scott said he’s holding out hope treatment could ‘extend my life indefinitely’.

He added: ‘It has been hard to come to terms with being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

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‘At the time I felt a lot of anxiety and dread over upcoming scan results and I then when my nightmares came true, I found it traumatic.

‘I have dealt with that trauma and for anyone else going through a similar experience my best advice would be to not hold anything back, when you feel like crying, cry.

‘Most days I am as happy as I have ever been, I am surrounded by nature and the ones I love.’