If it wasn’t for the trial, I wouldn’t be here today

David Livingstone, 66, from Richhill in Armagh was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in 2016 and faced with a difficult diagnosis, David was recruited into a clinical trial supported by the charity. This is David’s story.

Friday 13th May 2016 was the day my life changed forever. I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and told that I might only have 6 months to live.

It came as a complete shock as I didn’t have any symptoms of note, just a sore back which my GP put down to suspected kidney stones. However, further investigation showed advanced and aggressive prostate cancer which had spread to my bones and lymph nodes.

My chemotherapy treatment started in Craigavon and I then moved to the Cancer Centre for radiotherapy, where I was asked if I would like to participate in a new clinical trial called ADRRAD, which was aimed specifically at men with advanced prostate cancer. I had nothing to lose, so I jumped at the opportunity and was soon put under the care of Professor O’Sullivan, who was leading the trial. It involved two types of radiotherapy: 37 sessions of external radiotherapy followed by six months of injections of another form of radiation called radium 223.

Today, two years after being diagnosed, I am doing well. I haven’t been cured, but the cancer has almost gone from my spine and the treatment has allowed me to enjoy a good quality of life with my family and friends. I’m extremely grateful to Friends of the Cancer Centre as the investment it makes in local research supports so many people and if it wasn’t for the trial, I wouldn’t be here today.