Rajesh Sharma was diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma also, known as gastrointestinal cancer at the age of 44. After thinking there was no hope left, he began a new drug trial in 2001, and has been on it ever since!

Raj says, "I suspected that something was wrong, but I was too busy to see a doctor. My stomach was hard, and I had lost my appetite, which I needed, as I was head chef at a restaurant. Work was my life - I was married to my job.

One weekend, I took leave for a bit of a rest, but thought it was an opportunity to get checked out at the hospital. After a four-hour wait, a doctor saw me, and carried out a number of tests. On reviewing the results, he admitted me to hospital straight away, and I was told I could have cancer. Eventually, I was told that I would lose all of my stomach, as the tumour was the size of a football. I became very frightened, unable to imagine life without a stomach. I was in surgery for 7 hours, and they removed my stomach, spleen and most of my pancreas. I was in extreme pain following surgery and thought it was the end of the road. I couldn’t eat, drink or move. I didn’t know how I would cope on my own, convinced that there was no way out of this.

One day, a private nurse arrived, who I called my Mother Theresa. If she hadn’t come into my life, I truly believe I wouldn’t be here now! She was my lifeline. She opened my eyes to a whole new life with cancer, and took me to visit some support groups. In 2001, I joined the S.E. Cancer Centre in Purley, and made several friends there. A short while after, following a routine check up, I was told that the cancer had spread to my liver, but I was asked if I would join a new drug trial. Although nothing was guaranteed, I thought at least others would gain from it.

The treatment worked and I have been on it ever since!

My advice to anyone in a similar situation would be to try and accept it. It’s not easy, and it will take time. Try and stay calm. Live each moment of your life. Speak to your doctors and build up a relationship with them; they are there to help.

I am a testament to how important cancer research is. I wouldn’t be here without this new drug. My hope for the future is that cancer will not be life-threatening, but like other illnesses that can be treated. I’m very hopeful that things will continue to improve, and new advancements will be made for all types of cancer.