Alan Abernethy, Northern Ireland – My research story
Alan’s Research Story:
“Research is one of the greatest gifts to have and we need to support and encourage it.”
Alan, a former Church of Ireland Bishop of Connor in Northern Ireland, took a sabbatical from the Ministry from May to September in 2019 to write a book. Upon his return he was always feeling tired and thought it may have been exhaustion, working in a large diocese, serving thousands of people in a large community.
Having visited his GP, a blood test revealed he had advanced prostate cancer. He was 61, a fit and healthy person and the prognosis was not good, his life was going to be cut short.
“I was naive. I didn’t realise how seriously ill I was.” Said Alan. Telling his children of his diagnosis was the hardest part, although his son, a Radiologist and his daughter a biology teacher, were determined to support Alan and his wife on this journey.
Alan’s consultant discussed the option to join a clinical research study and because of the consultant’s passion for research, it was sold to him. “It was a no brainer. I had confidence in the people treating me.”
After six sessions of chemotherapy, Alan became a participant on the ADRRAD clinical research study, a free NHS study. The ADRRAD study explored adding radiotherapy and radionuclide therapy to hormone therapy - giving three treatments at the one time - mainly a radioactive injection that seeks out cancer in the bone to slow the spread of prostate cancer.
This research took place over several months. In total, Alan’s treatment involved 37 radiotherapy sessions, chemotherapy and six nuclear injections given at four-week intervals. He found the process of preparing for and undergoing treatment very hard at times. Losing his hair with chemotherapy affected him least. He was never really sick, a tiredness hit him more than anything. He had mood swings, from feeling a high when getting chemotherapy from Wednesday to Saturday, then feeling low come Saturday, where he would have to go to bed, given he had little to no energy.
Alan’s faith helped him throughout. “I was in a public role in the ministry, there was a sense I felt carried by the love and prayers of many people.”
The trial results, in the words of his consultant, were “amazing”. Scans showed Alan’s cancer had gone and he has been in remission since. Naturally, Alan was thrilled at the results. His wife Liz, a medical doctor, was so amazed at the results she asked to see the scans again!
Alan feels glad to be part of innovative treatment. Thanks to his cohort, there’s now a new cancer advancement between bowel and bladder. His treatment had a life-changing outcome on him:
“I’ve got six years of extra life! Medicine saved my life. I got a great kick that this was going to help others. This made it all worthwhile.”
Alan is a big advocate of research and supports ‘Northern Ireland Friends of the Cancer Centre’ in Belfast, which he describes as “an incredible centre that gives people hope - the patients get the care and the family get the help”.
He is a member of the Northern Ireland Cancer Research Consumer Forum (NICRCF) and through public speaking, attends various patient events with his message: “Cancer isn’t nice but it’s not the end of the world.”
What lessons did Alan take away from his trial?
“The incredible teamwork that takes place in the NI Friends of the Cancer Centre, from those working at the reception desk to the Nurses – every single person on that journey were on the same hymn sheet.”
Asked if he would be part of research again, Alan said: “I’d do anything to support research. The more we do in research, the better”.
“Research is one of the greatest gifts to have and we need to support and encourage it.”
