Greenwich woman has fourth cancer diagnosis

Susan Gasson, a 75-year-old resident of Greenwich, has received her fourth cancer diagnosis in four decades, this time for lung cancer. The initial symptoms of a persistent cough began in 2020. Following an X-ray that revealed a mass, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. This diagnosis followed previous treatments for breast, cervical, and thyroid cancers.

Clinical Trial Offers New Hope

After her lung cancer returned following surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, Ms Gasson enrolled in a clinical trial. She is now receiving treatment for a HER2 gene mutation, a targeted therapy that was not previously available for such lung cancer patients. The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, where most of her treatment has taken place, stated that before this trial, patients with this mutation relied on repeated rounds of chemotherapy, which can carry significant side effects. The mutation is known to accelerate cell growth and division.

The trial treatment involves a single daily tablet. Ms Gasson reported that her tumour has shrunk, and she has not required further chemotherapy. She undergoes a CT scan every six weeks to monitor her progress. "My cancer has shrunk and the side effects have been minimal, allowing me to have a much better quality of life," she told BBC London. She expressed gratitude for being able to witness her grandchildren grow up, including seeing her first granddaughter start university.

A History of Cancer Diagnoses

Ms Gasson's medical history includes a breast cancer diagnosis in the early 1980s, for which she had a lumpectomy. In the mid-1980s, a hysterectomy for fibroids revealed pre-cancerous cervical cells. She was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 1996, following her mother's death from the same condition. Genetic testing was conducted due to her medical and family history, but a rare inherited condition linked to increased cancer risk was ruled out. Despite these challenges, Ms Gasson stated, "I've not let it dominate my life."

The surgery for her lung cancer in October 2020 was described as more traumatic and painful than her previous operations, involving the removal of a significant portion of her lung and part of her windpipe. Following the surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, follow-up examinations indicated the cancer's return, leading to her eligibility for the clinical trial. She found relief in joining the trial, having previously experienced severe side effects from chemotherapy.

Ms Gasson's daughter described her as "stubborn, independent, courageous," while her son chose "resilient, selfless, loving."