Living with inoperable lung cancer

Like many young men, solicitor Daniel Mallett regularly plays tennis, golf and skis and is set to marry this summer.

But unlike many others Daniel has inoperable lung cancer and has shocked doctors with his longevity.

Four years ago Daniel, a non-smoker, developed non small cell lung cancer. (The name simply describes the type of cell found in the tumour).

Because the cancer was in his right lung and underneath the breast bone it was inoperable.

Cough

"I went skiing in February 1998 and had a bad cold and a cough, and that didn't clear up. It was a very dry cough.

"But I did not seek medical attention until August. They thought it could be an infection and put me on antibiotics, which did not work."

An X-ray revealed Daniel's tumour.

He had chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but just over two years later it had spread to his liver.

Despite treatment the tumour grew and doctors told Daniel, 35, that they were surprised he was still alive.

"The prognosis for the last three years has been appalling.

Symptoms
Repeated chest infections even after antibiotics
A cough for more than three weeks
Excessive tiredness
Coughing up blood
Out of breath
Voice loss
Chest pains
Unexplained weight loss
Swelling in face and neck

"I was devastated when I heard it was in the liver, because people say that when it is in the liver that is it.

"I had a conversation with a thoracic surgeon, we didn't bullshit.

"I said how long do I have, but he said you should be dead.

"And strangely that me feel good, it made me feel that I was bucking the trend.

"I felt angry. I thought why me?

"I was also determined and was very shocked."

Prognosis

But despite the poor prognosis Daniel remains positive. A 50-year-old treatment is now being used on him, and the cancer has actually started to shrink.

He has received tremendous support from his family and fiancée, but said he wished he had acted sooner to get treatment.

"I knew you could get lung cancer without smoking.

"My brother has smoked like a chimney and he is fine. I would not wish this on him, but I did think it was extraordinary that I had got it.

"I wish I had sought medical attention a little sooner. I just kept on ignoring the symptoms and by the time it was diagnosed it was inoperable."

Active

Daniel's fiancée, former ballet dancer Ellana Wright, who met him after his diagnosis, has been so inspired by his battle that she has decided to retrain as an oncology nurse.

And although no-one can actually predict how the cancer will progress, Daniel is determined to live as active a life as possible.

"In a funny sort of way it has been an adventure, not the sort I would necessarily have chosen though.

"But people do not have to feel that they have to tiptoe around me - they can ask me anything they want."