A Liverpool man defied the odds after surviving 35 years on from an initial cancer diagnosis that doctors thought would kill him.
Terry Kavanaugh, now 77, was told he had just a five percent chance of survival back in 1989.
He first went to his GP not long before his 43rd birthday after feeling breathless and noticing a “rattle” in his lung that wouldn’t go away.
His doctor was not immediately concerned but after coughing up a large amount of blood he went straight to hospital.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Terry recalled: “I remember my diagnosis like it was yesterday.
“I had been breathless for a few weeks, and had a rattle in my lung, which wouldn’t go away.
“There were also minute specks of blood when I coughed. My GP wasn’t concerned at first and said I was run down.
“But I just felt something was wrong and when I coughed up a larger amount of blood, I went straight to A&E.”
The retired joiner was devastated when tests showed he had lung cancer.
“It was over the Christmas period, and I didn’t want to wait for another appointment with my GP,” Terry said.
“When the tests revealed it was cancer, it just ripped me apart.
“They said at first that I was looking at three months to live.”
Terry “couldn’t believe” his diagnosis as he had never smoked and led a healthy lifestyle, which included running marathons, playing rugby, and cycling.
Luckily Terry quickly underwent surgery to remove half of his left lung and essentially saving his life.
He said: “I still remember the surgeon’s words after waking from surgery, ‘Well Terry, I’m satisfied we caught it early’. And that’s why I’m still here.
“As I left the hospital I took a painful deep breath and I knew right then my life would be different than it ever was before. Fighting cancer became part of my life.”
Decades later and Terry has since become a grandfather for four children and is grateful for the time he has spent with them.
He has also made it his mission to raise awareness of lung cancer symptoms and help others.
“I became a patient advocate almost straight away and I have raised thousands for cancer charities over the years,” he said.
“The experience of receiving a cancer diagnosis leaves its mark, and you’re never really the same again. Others are not as fortunate as I was, and their lung cancer is diagnosed too late.”
Terry is also calling on the public to back a plan from Cancer Research UK to prompt action by the Government.
”Everything that has benefited cancer patients comes from research. Research is the key to finding a cure,” he said.
“Patients must have hope, hope is the essence of life. It’s the Government’s duty to give support to the health of its nation and that’s why I’m backing this manifesto.
“There are so many pressures at the moment with funding and the state of cancer services across England, but the politicians must make sure that people affected by cancer don’t pay the price for this now and in the future.”
To get involved visit cruk.org/letter.
According to the NHS, common symptoms of lung cancer include:
- A cough that does not go away after 3 weeks
- A long-standing cough that gets worse
- Chest infections that keep coming back
- Coughing up blood
- An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
- Persistent breathlessness
- Persistent tiredness or lack of energy
- Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss.
If you experience any signs you should speak to your GP.