‘I thought I had no future’

TONY MURRAY thought he had no future when doctors told him he had lymphoma six years ago.

Tony, originally from Dublin but now living in Ennis, Co Clare, discovered a lump on his leg and was later diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

At an event to mark World Lymphoma Awareness in Dublin yesterday Tony told how he has been in remission for five years.

“I am living proof that lymphoma can be treated and does not have to be a death sentence,” said the retired opera singer, who lived in Africa for 20 years before settling in Ennis.

“I didn’t even know what lymphoma was when the doctors diagnosed me - I thought I had no future.”

Dr Elizabeth Vandenberghe, of St James’s Hospital in Dublin, said Tony’s case highlighted how early diagnosis increased treatment success rates.

Lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system) is the fastest-growing cancer after lung and non-melanoma skin cancer and is most prevalent in the 20-40 age group. There are 540 cases diagnosed in Ireland a year and some 260 people die from the disease. A global survey found less than 50% of people had any knowledge or understanding of lymphoma and nearly 75% were shocked by how little they knew.

Dr Vandenberghe said lymphoma was one of the most curable kinds of malignant disease and many advances had been made in its treatment. “Recognising the symptoms and early diagnosis will greatly improve outcome and long term survival,” she said.

Robbie Butler from Co Kildare, who won the Beacons of Hope photography competition on the day, said his entry When I Grow Up was inspired by his brother, David, who died from cancer 20 years ago. Robbie said his brother developed cancer when little was known or understood about the disease.

“Any initiative that helps to raise awareness of cancer, its symptoms and treatments is extremely worthwhile and deserves to be really well supported,” he said.

* Anyone concerned about lymphoma or any cancer can contact the Irish cancer Society National Freefone helpline 1800 200 700. Lymphoma Support Ireland can be contacted at www.lymphoma.ie.

What you need to know

* LYMPHOMAS are a group of cancers in which cells of the lymphatic system become abnormal and start to grow uncontrollably. Because there is lymph tissue in many parts of the body, lymphomas can start in almost any organ.

* Main symptom of both Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas is swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, under the arms, or in the groin. Other symptoms include fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, weight loss and itchy skin.

* Lymphoma is very curable, if diagnosed early. Bone marrow transplants are performed in a small number of cases where the cancer returns.