Cancer Research UK Annual Review 2011/12

10 | Our scientists are finding the answers
Nilesh’s story
When Nilesh Jhala had a tickly cough that he
just couldn’t shake, he decided to see a specialist.
‘That cough was a blessing,’ says the father of two
from Bedfordshire. ‘It prompted the check-ups
that found the cancer.’
Nilesh was diagnosed with kidney cancer in March
2011. The cough had been totally unrelated. ‘What
scared me most was when the specialist confirmed
that I’d had the tumour for about four or five years,
judging by the size of it. So catching it when we did
was critical,’ he says.
Three weeks later, Nilesh had his kidney removed.
He agreed that samples could be used for research,
helping studies like Professor Swanton’s. Nilesh is
also on a trial that we're co-funding, to find out if
the drug sorafenib, taken after surgery, can help to
stop or delay kidney cancer coming back.
I was pleased that
I could help with
research and take
part in this trial.
It’s something I can
do to help others.
Getting the right
treatment for the
right patient is
essential – it could
save many lives.
Nilesh Jhala
We support almost 250 cancer trials, with over 30,000 volunteers taking part every year.