Home cancer treatment 'takes stress away'

Des Burns says he is "incredibly grateful" to medics and his family for their support

A man who receives cancer treatment in his garden has said getting immunotherapy at home “takes a lot of that stress away”.

Des Burns was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2018 before he retired as a head teacher.

The 67-year-old from Bury, was later declared cancer-free but it was detected again after three years.

He received radiotherapy and chemotherapy before being prescribed an immunotherapy drug which could be administered from his home by a team from The Christie cancer hospital.

Des Burns received immunotherapy treatment in his shed at Christmas

The service was set up in 2015 and Mr Burns has received its 50,000th home treatment.

“It leaves me a little tired for a day or two afterwards, but generally, I can get out for walks and enjoy my life,” he said.

While his sitting room was redecorated at Christmas, he received treatment in his garden shed.

He said the home treatment meant he could spend more time with his family, adding that it was “great for my mental wellbeing”.

“I don't have to worry about getting stuck in rush hour traffic on my way to the hospital or finding somewhere to park," he said.

“And I don't get stuck in a long queue in the hospital waiting for treatment.

“Having treatment at home takes a lot of that stress away, particularly when you are having long-term treatments for five years or more.”

Crawford Meek, senior charge nurse for The Christie at Home, said: "Our patients say this service makes a huge difference to them and that they often look forward to a visit from one of our friendly nurses.”

Patients usually become eligible for home treatment after two treatments in a healthcare setting unless there has been an adverse reaction.