Cancer patient praises 'incredible' US treatment

Madi Foster, 20, has just returned from surgery and specialist cancer treatment in the United States

A cancer patient who was told she might only have 18 months to live has returned home after receiving specialist treatment in the USA.

In June 2023 Madi Foster was diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), a rare form of cancer, which had spread to her left kidney.

The 20-year-old from Stafford spent almost three months undergoing treatment and major surgery at The National Institutes of Health after £21,000 was raised for her in two days for treatment not offered on the NHS.

Ms Foster said "things have changed dramatically" since her treatment in the US.

Ms Foster had an operation to remove a tumour weeks after her initial diagnosis, but in February she was told the cancer had returned and could only be slowed down using chemotherapy.

She was able to travel abroad after her family launched a fundraiser upon learning about experimental treatment to treat her cancer in Washington DC.

Ms Foster said her treatment, which included about seven hours in surgery followed by time in intensive care, went "really well".

The 20-year-old spent almost three months undergoing treatment at the National Institutes of Health in Washington DC

"I ended up having spinal surgery as well, because while I was over there my back pain increased quite a lot and there was a tumour on my spine. To help out they removed part of my spine and the tumour came with it," she said.

She added surgeons had also removed her right adrenal gland, a section of bowel and 60% of her liver.

Following the surgery, the 20-year-old will now receive four more months of chemotherapy before further possible surgery next year.

Ms Foster praised the work of the "incredible" team at the institute.

"There's so much more hope and I can plan for the future now, things have changed dramatically," she said.

Ms Foster was was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer last year

Her farther Craig Foster described it as a "very interesting few months".

"The treatment Madi has had has been absolutely incredible, way more than we even think was possible," he said.

The BBC has approached NHS England for comment.