'They call me a cancer super-survivor'

A woman diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour and told she had months to live, is now in remission, five years later, making her survival of interest to researchers.

Katherine Webster, 52, from Cambridge, was told she had a grade four glioblastoma in March 2020 when she was 47.

It is a fast-growing, aggressive type of brain tumour, with 25% of patients surviving more than a year, and only 5% of patients surviving more than five years, according to The Brain Tumour Charity.

Following surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Ms Webster has been described in medical circles as a cancer "super-survivor".

In March, when she marks five years since her diagnosis, she will be invited to take part in the Rosalind study, an international trial aimed at understanding the biological factors behind long-term cancer survival.

The UK phase of the Rosalind study is being co-ordinated by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, with eight UK hospitals joining others around the world identifying the small percentage of cancer patients who beat the odds and survive years after being diagnosed.

Consultant clinical oncologist at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, and chief investigator for the UK part of the study, Dr Thankamma Ajithkumar, said the work was focusing on the three most aggressive and deadly cancers - advanced small-cell lung cancer, advanced pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma.

He said: "Rather than focusing on why cancer patients do not survive, this study seeks to understand what it is that makes them live.

"By investigating the biology of this elite group of super-survivors, the study aims to discover insights that could potentially benefit and improve outcomes for all patients."

Ms Webster does suffer some memory loss and has had physiotherapy to help with the rehabilitation of her right hand side, but otherwise describes herself as doing "remarkably well".

"I'm not sure what the secret is as to why I am still here," she said.

"I was told that I had months to live, not years.

"Almost five years on from receiving that cancer diagnosis, I try to make the most of life - I live every day as if it's my last."

Ms Webster used to row competitively before her diagnosis, and with help and support from family and friends at Chesterton Rowing Club, she now rows every week.

"Rowing is a big passion, so the thought of returning to the river got me through radiotherapy and chemotherapy," she said.

"After receiving such a shocking prognosis, it is now such a joy for me being out on the river.

"I can't believe I'm potentially one of these so-called cancer super-survivors."

Researchers intend to gather tumour samples from more than 1,000 consenting patients who are among the top 3% in terms of cancer survival.

Dr Ajithkumar added: "We don't want to just hear stories like Katherine's – we want to learn from them."

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