19 Aug Essex tongue cancer survivor says Cancer Research UK Cycle 300 challenge became his saviour
An Essex father-of-three who was told to eat as much as possible ahead of a gruelling treatment plan to fight tongue cancer has described how Cancer Research UK’s Cycle 300 challenge became his saviour.
Keen cyclist Andy Peach, 56, from Saffron Walden, was diagnosed after finding a lump under his chin whilst on holiday in Barcelona. He was referred to the ear, nose and throat department of Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge, where doctors discovered a suspicious lump on his tongue.
“The doctor immediately said, ‘I don’t like the look of that’ and I just had a feeling this wasn’t going to be good news,” remembered Andy, who lives with wife Lisa and their children Ella, 15, Chelsea, 25, and Jo, 34.
A biopsy confirmed the lump was cancerous and in January 2018 Andy was scheduled to begin intense radiotherapy every day for six weeks. He also faced chemotherapy once a week.
“The dietician told me to eat as much as possible over Christmas. When she said that, I realised I was probably facing a lot more weight loss than I’d have wanted. My doctor also warned me that it was going to be very tough. He was right – it was so tough as I had to wear a special mask that was pinned to the bed to keep me still.
“The first two weeks were OK, but by week three things really started to kick in. I was overwhelmed with fatigue and struggling to eat. By the final week I started to doubt I could take any more, but I was really encouraged by a doctor who said I was well enough to take it, even if I didn’t feel like it.”
Once Andy had recovered from his treatment and felt strong enough to get back on his bike, he heard about Cycle 300 and it immediately struck a chord.
“I’d always felt good after a cycle ride, but then it became a saviour for me. It helped me regain my muscle strength and fitness whilst also acting as a break from the everyday struggles I was experiencing.
“We did 20-30 miles in the week and got up to 50-60 miles on weekends. On one occasion we planned a 110-mile ride. This gave us the biggest sense of achievement just 21 months after I got the diagnosis.”
Now fit and well, Andy is urging others to also take part in Cycle 300 to save the lives of more people like him.
He said: “The Cycle 300 challenge really came along at the right time for me. I wanted to give something back after the amazing care and treatment I received whilst gaining a sense of accomplishment at the same time. It was the perfect opportunity to really get my fitness levels up whilst supporting a cause close to my heart.
“I’m so grateful to have more precious time with my family and friends. I’m living life to the full and enjoying every day. I’ve been riding with a great group of friends every evening and will even be cycling on a big family holiday in Majorca this summer.
“Cycle 300 is a great fundraising challenge because you can choose how you do it to fit in with your own life and it can be a really fun, social event, too, if you do it with friends like I’ve done.
“Everyone knows someone affected by cancer, so I hope that will give people in Essex the motivation to jump in the saddle and raise as much money as possible to help families like mine.”
In Essex, around 1,800 people are diagnosed with cancer every year*.
Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, Cancer Research UK’s work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has been at the heart of the progress that has seen survival in the UK double in the last 40 years.
Patrick Keely, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Essex, said: “We’re very grateful to Andy for his support and hope it will start a chain reaction, sparking the interest of cyclists of all ages and abilities. One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime**. But all of us can play a part to help beat it.
“This past year proves, more than any other, the value of investing in science and medical research, and what can be achieved together. Just like science is our route out of the pandemic, science is our route to beating cancer.
“The progress we make relies on every hour of research, every pound raised and everyone who gets involved. That’s why we need people to sign up to Cycle 300 and help us go miles further in the fight against the disease.”
Cancer Research UK spent over £2 million in Essex last year on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research. Money raised by Cycle 300 is crucial to the pioneering work of doctors, nurses and scientists who are tackling cancer on all fronts.
Taking on the challenge has positive health benefits, too. Along with helping to build fitness and burn excess calories, cycling regularly encourages a healthier heart and can help to improve mood and sleep.
Depending on weight and effort, cyclists could burn roughly between 450 to 750 calories per hour.
Join the challenge and receive a free fundraising pack at cruk.org/cycle300.
