Cancer patient's 'debt of gratitude' to charity

A grandfather whose lung cancer was detected as part of a charity screening programme has spoken of his "debt of gratitude" as the organisation celebrates its centenary.

Founded at the Old Medical School in Leeds on 21 May 1925, by the 1940s Yorkshire Cancer Research had grown from a small research laboratory into one of the biggest cancer research centres in the world.

It now funds the Leeds Lung Health Check, which invites those most at risk for regular checks at a mobile screening unit.

David Sutcliffe, who was invited to take part as he had smoked as a teenager and into his 40s, said he was "very grateful" for the work carried out by the charity.

"The first two scans were negative, then in 2022 after my scan I received a letter from the Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) to say they had found something," the 76-year-old said.

"You can imagine that was quite a hammer blow, but it all happened very quickly and I was fast-tracked through the LGI chest clinic."

He said a nodule had been found on his lung which was removed with keyhole surgery.

"I was in surgery for about an hour, spent two nights in the Bexley Wing then was discharged home." Mr Sutcliffe said.

"I made a complete and rapid recovery.

"I am very grateful to Yorkshire Cancer Research and the Leeds Lung Health Check. I feel a debt of gratitude towards them."

The charity marked its 100-year anniversary by recreating its initial meeting in 1925 - inviting a group of people who have made a significant contribution in recent years.

One of those was Professor Philip Quirke, Head of Pathology and Data Analytics at the University of Leeds, who has partnered with Yorkshire Cancer Research for over 40 years.

The charity funded his innovative bowel cancer research, which led to a significant increase in the number of people surviving bowel cancer in Yorkshire and beyond.

He said: "Yorkshire Cancer Research is the reason why I'm still in Yorkshire.

"Without the charity's vital support, my team and I would not have been able to develop our work in bowel cancer which has not only impacted the lives of people with cancer in Yorkshire, but around the world."

Mr Sutcliffe also attended the event, along with Suzanne Rogerson, Lead Nurse for the Leeds Lung Health Check.

Mrs Rogerson, 54, said: "We know lung cancer screening can help us detect lung cancer early, where there is a better chance of cure.

"Since 2018, when we started, we have screened over 8,800 people and in that time we have found more than 400 lung cancers."

The charity said people in Yorkshire are more likely to have their lives cut short by cancer than almost anywhere else in England, but they are dedicated to changing this.

Dr Kathryn Scott, Chief Executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: "Yorkshire Cancer Research is looking to the future and 100 years on, remains as committed as ever to the charity's vision of creating a Yorkshire free from cancer."

Professor Phil Wood, Chief Executive at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "Hosting Yorkshire Cancer Research's centenary at the Old Medical School is a celebration of the past and a statement about the future.

"As we honour that legacy, we are transforming the Old Medical School into a vibrant health-tech hub where clinicians, academics, researchers and entrepreneurs work collaboratively to transform care for people across Yorkshire and beyond.

"Marking 100 years of partnership, we're proud to continue the tradition of honouring yesterday's pioneers while building tomorrow's innovations for our patients."

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