We are The Christie magazine July 2025 Staff edition

Jeff Cook

"I was told to prepare myself for bad news," recalls Jeff Cook from Northwich. In February 2019, Jeff was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, the most advanced form of the disease.

Jeff, now 76, had given up smoking over 20 years earlier. He first noticed something was wrong in late 2018. "I had a sore on the left side of my chest that wouldn't heal, even after antibiotics, he says. "My GP referred me to a chest consultant at Leighton Hospital. "I was then referred to Dr Woolf at The Christie, who told me I was suitable for a fairly new immunotherapy treatment called pembrolizumab," Jeff explains. "But first, I needed radiotherapy to target the tumour directly." Jeff began receiving pembrolizumab infusions every three weeks, later moving to every six. "It took about two hours each time. The staff were very welcoming. The receptionist always gave me a cheery welcome, and before COVID, we even got tea and biscuits from one of the volunteers. The nurses always treated me well." Jeff experienced no significant side effects. "The pembrolizumab was kind to my body," he explains. "After three or four treatments, I was leading a normal life again." He continued the treatment for two years, supported by regular blood tests, CT scans, and review appointments, many of which moved to phone calls during the pandemic.

"Considering I had such an advanced cancer, and the survival statistics were not in my favour, I feel like the pembrolizumab has been a medical miracle, he declares. "I'm able to live life to the full as a result." Dr David Woolf, who oversaw Jeff's care, said: "I am delighted that Jeff has had such a positive response to his treatment and is now cancer-free six years after his diagnosis. Stage 4 lung cancer remains very serious, with average survival figures of less than a year. However, new treatments such as immunotherapy are a game changer for some of our patients." Jeff and his wife Carol, married for over 50 years, enjoy holidays, short breaks, and a fortnightly quiz night at their local cricket club. "I'm incredibly grateful to Dr Woolf and all the NHS staff who helped me and to the scientists and researchers who developed such a wonderful life-saving drug." A proud Queen's Scout and lifelong supporter of the scouting movement, Jeff also finds joy in his garden feeding birds and planting borders. "I never imagined I'd be here six years on, cancer-free. But thanks to the care I received and the advances in treatment, I am," Jeff concludes.

"Considering I had such an advanced cancer, and the survival statistics were not in my favour, I feel like the pembrolizumab has been a medical miracle, he declares. "I'm able to live life to the full as a result."

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