Dominic Hill’s Surviving Terminal Cancer film was first aired on World Cancer Day (4 February 2015) and was watched by 400 people affected by a brain tumor at the BFI in London. It was later aired in New York at the Lincoln Centre and watched by over 200 people affected by a brain tumor.
Could brain tumour survivors help unlock cancer cure?
Three patients who beat the odds deserve scrutiny, say experts in new documentary
These – 3 – long-term brain tumor survivors could revolutionize our quest to cure all forms of cancer, say researchers.
The three men are at the heart of a documentary, Surviving Terminal Cancer, which premiered at London’s British Film Institute on World Cancer Day.
Two of them have beaten off a form of brain tumour called glioblastoma multiforme – dubbed “the terminator” by doctors because of its highly aggressive characteristics.
Patients live for just 15 months on average after diagnosis.
Ben Williams has lived for 20 years (Diagnosed March 31, 1995) and Richard Gerber for eight years since diagnosis with glioblastoma multiforme.
Anders Ferry was diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma – another aggressive form of brain tumour – in 1999. He has survived for 15 years compared with an average of two – to – three years for patients with anaplastic astrocytoma.
The standard treatment for both of these types of brain tumor – surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy – has not changed for decades.
Surviving Terminal Cancer explores how the three men – all with a scientific academic background – researched and devised their own treatment programs.
All three identified pharmaceutical drugs and naturally-occurring agents which unconnected trials have found may act individually to block specific cancer pathways.
Against doctors’ advice, the three took many of these simultaneously as a “cocktail” while undergoing the standard treatment offered to patients like them.
None of the therapies was approved for use in brain tumor patients and barring one (Tamoxifen) they were not licensed for use against any form of cancer.
Professor Williams and Dr. Gerber saw their tumors disappear and their disease has not recurred.
Dr. Ferry’s tumor has recurred 6 times but he continues to defy the odds, remaining on his cocktail regime and seeking out experimental treatments wherever possible.
Surviving Terminal Cancer reveals the desperate measures the men took to secure the drugs they believed would help to keep their disease at bay – including forging prescriptions, switching medications illicitly with other patients and, in the case of physical chemist Dr. Ferry, an attempt to manufacture his own supply of a compound that was about to be withdrawn from the market.
The film argues that the men’s survival challenges the orthodox scientific approach to improving cancer treatments.
In particular, it questions the reliance of researchers on randomized controlled trials involving single drug agents.
It also asks why drugs already approved to treat other conditions are not more often trialed on cancer patients – a practice known as “repurposing”.
Surviving Terminal Cancer was written and directed by entrepreneur Dominic Hill, who lost his brother-in-law to glioblastoma multiforme in 2010 and set out to discover why the prognosis remains so bleak.
The feature-length documentary – made by Mr Hill over two and half years on a shoestring budget – includes interviews with several world-renowned cancer scientists who call for a change in direction by researchers.
The screening on February 4, supported by The Brain Tumor Charity, will be attended by more than 400 people affected by brain tumors. It will be followed by a panel discussion involving internationally-renowned brain tumor experts and the three men whose stories feature in the film.
The panel will be chaired by Nottingham consultant neuro-oncologist David Walker, president of the British Neuro-oncology Society.
On February 18 the film will be screened to a similar audience at The Lincoln Center in New York, after which it will be freely available on the internet.
Mr Hill has also brought together a group of researchers from around the world who hope to secure funding for a trial involving the use of multiple drug therapies on patients newly-diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme.
Mr Hill said his brother-in-law’s death and its devastating impact had sparked his “desperate scramble” for knowledge about glioblastoma multiforme, treatment options and the state of research into the disease.
I could not believe, nor accept, that a young man’s life could be given up on without even trying.
Patients facing the worst diagnosis known to man, should not also have to be victims of man-made problems and paralysis.
“I have made this film to try and disseminate critical information to future patient populations about the invisible barriers they will face beyond their biological diagnosis, that preclude in most cases their access to the treatments at the front of the innovation curve.”
Sarah Lindsell, chief executive of The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “Survival rates for patients diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour have barely improved in the last 40 years.
“We are determined to change that by working with patients and researchers towards more effective treatments.
“Surviving Terminal Cancer asks crucial questions about how this can be done, which is why we are supporting its premiere and the panel discussion afterwards on February 4.”
The Brain Tumour Charity recently published its 5-year Research Strategy, A Cure Can’t Wait, setting out plans to drive forward the search for more effective treatments for the disease.
Ben Williams, PhD is a 23 year survivor of a GBM. (Diagnosed March 31, 1995) and has written an excellent book titled: Surviving Terminal Cancer: Clinical Trials, Drug Cocktails, and Other Treatments Your Oncologist Won’t Tell You About
The book is basically 2 parts: his story, his thoughts on how to approach the situation, and then an overview of treatment options. The first 2 parts never get stale, but the final part is getting outdated, so he provided these articles which updates the final 1/3 of his book. They can be read as standalone articles, but is best to buy the book and read it also!
Treatment Options For Malignant Gliomas – Aug 2017 Update.
The Role of Supplements (including Anti-Oxidants) in Cancer Treatment – July 12, 2014 update! .
Long Term Survival of Glioblastoma. 2014
Perils of Evidence Based medicine. 2010
For more information on Ben Williams, Click HERE
Preparing for Battle
Thank you Facebook friends for sending me pictures to uplift me! Countdown – 3 days to my MRI on Feb 26. My stress is the most extreme I’ve had over the past 18 years; did the Gamma Knife kill off (1GBM/1aPXA) or are they growing bigger.
If I get bad news I need to be prepared for battle.
This week I was reading the Bible and my mind kept going to verses that have given me strength while battling the brain tumors. These verses have always prepared me for battle and have given me the strength needed to make it to the other side.
Proverbs 23:7 says “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” With faith I tell myself “I am a warrior going into battle and I will be victorious!”
In Psalms chapter 18, David called out to God praying for success in his battle. David also called out in praise thanking God for his many blessings.
Using some of David’s passion I call out to God; I love you, Lord, my strength. Lord, my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer in whom I take refuge. You Lord are my shield, my salvation, my stronghold. The brain cancer feels like death entangles me, the torrent of destruction overwhelms me. I cry out to my Lord for help, from his temple he hears my voice. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You Lord give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me. You Lord armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries (brain tumors) bow at my feet.
Ephesians chapter 6 gives me strength; it’s about putting on Gods full armor enabling me to stand my ground. It’s about wearing a belt, breastplate, helmet and holding a shield of faith. It describes how my feet will hold firm with readiness. The Lord is the foundation of the blessings.
With faith I will keep repeating this wisdom to me, so on Feb 26th when I walk in the door to hear the MRI results, I will be prepared for battle. ~Cheryl Broyles
