Meet the incredible Beatson scientist who owes his own life to cancer research

The 28-year-old was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer at the age of just 11.

While he battled his way through gruelling treatment, George spent a lot of his time in the care of his grandparents, Tony and Barbara.

So it was an additionally cruel blow for the family when Tony was diagnosed around the same time with prostate cancer and died just eight months later.

Barbara, also, was diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away in November last year.

George's determination to be a cancer researcher has a particularly personal element as he works to make life better for families like his.

He said: "I owe my life to research.

"While cure rates for cancer are getting better, they will stagnate without continued funding.

"There’s still lots of people who need help, and there are many things we still don’t understand about cancer.

"Funding for research is vital so that we can ensure everyone survives cancer, not just a lucky few."

George, who lives in Bearsden with wife Holly who also works in cancer research, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma in September 2002 after his parents rushed him to hospital because he was having difficulty breathing.

Doctors found a large swelling on his neck and numerous tumours in his chest, indicating the cancer had spread to his lungs.

Lymphoma means cancer of the lymphatic system, which is an important part of the immune system.

Just six days after starting secondary school, George had to undergo surgery to remove the affected lymph nodes, followed by a gruelling regime of chemotherapy – a combination of six powerful cancer-killing drugs and steroids that made him very sick.

But George says it’s thanks to research that the type of chemotherapy he had saved his life.

He said: "There was a study done the year before I was diagnosed which recommended a chemotherapy combination called ABVD ChlVPP in stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma patients.

"The study had shown the new treatment combination was really effective at curing Hodgkin’s so I was put on that regime.

"It was quite intense chemotherapy, a mixture of tablets and injections. I was on it for eight months and a lot of the treatments involved going in once, twice a week to have infusions over a 12-hour period.

"But it worked wonderfully, and I was in complete remission after the treatment."

As his immune system was suppressed by the chemotherapy, George was at risk of serious infection and was unable to go to school while undergoing his treatment.

He spent much of his time instead with Tony and Barbara, to whom he became very close.

George says it was having to say goodbye his beloved grandparents, as well as his own cancer experience, that inspired him to become a scientist to try and find new treatments for the disease.

He said: "When my grandad was ill, I said to my grandma I wanted to be a cancer researcher.

"I’ve always loved biology and it was pretty much from then I decided, and then just pursued it for the entirety of my education."

He studied Biological Sciences at Warwick University then a Masters in Cancer Sciences at Birmingham University.

He started studying for a PhD at Leicester University before transferring to Glasgow’s Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute in October 2019.

His research has led him to uncover a protein that plays an important role in making cancer cells more sensitive to radiotherapy.

More research is needed, but the discovery could mean that in the future doctors could test patients for this protein to determine if radiotherapy would be the most effective treatment for them, or whether they would be better to try another therapy.

Last Friday, January 17, saw George mark another major milestone as he graduated with his PhD from Leicester University.

Now he is looking to continue his research in hard-to-treat cancers, such as pancreatic cancer and lung cancer, where he says he feels he can really make a difference.

George says he also feels driven in his research to find kinder treatments.

He has struggled with some of the side effects of the treatment he had as a child which have affected him later in life, such as chronic fatigue syndrome and hormonal imbalances, as well as the mental impact his experience has had on him.

He said: "When I was diagnosed with cancer, I don’t think I understood what was going on.

"My parents said when the doctor explained how tough the treatment would be, my response was ‘Bring it on.’

"I think kids are quite robust, so the way they react to things is zero fear.

"It was only when I got older and I realised what had actually happened that I started to comprehend how it had turned out, and it hit me quite hard.

"I think, particularly for childhood cancers, there’s a real problem with the mental outcome of being ill as you get older.

"I think doctors are now realising that, and there’s more help now, but when I was ill there wasn’t anything really.

"I think it’s coming to face mortality, you do it at a much earlier age than the average person and you’re too young to do it really.

"The side effects are difficult to deal with – for me it’s hard being extremely tired all the time and it can get me quite down.

"As someone who’s been through cancer treatment as a child, I want to let people know it’s OK to feel like that. You’re allowed to feel rubbish.

"You can still have a full and happy life, it doesn’t have to limit you – it’s just something you need to talk about. People understand.

"I think it’s important to talk, that’s what helped me in the end."

He added: "My own experience drives me to find treatments with less toxicity.

"I know what it’s like to be treated with drugs that have a massive impact on your body, and how hard it is to deal with the after-effects.

"That’s why I’m asking people in Glasgow to show their support on World Cancer Day and help Cancer Research UK to tackle this devastating disease with better, kinder treatments.

"Just by wearing a Unity Band we can all make a real difference to people with cancer."

George is now launching Cancer Research UK’s campaign for World Cancer Day in Scotland and urging Glaswegians to join him by wearing the charity’s Unity Band on February 4.

It can be worn in memory of a loved one, to celebrate people who’ve overcome cancer or in support of those going through treatment.

Every hour, around four people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland.

Dr Victoria Steven, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman in Scotland, said: "We are very grateful to George for his support and showing how important it is for everyone to wear a Unity Band on World Cancer Day.

"Our research has played a role in developing 8 of the world’s top 10 cancer drugs and we’re working every day to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease. But we can’t do it alone.

"By making a donation of just £2 for a Unity Band, Glaswegians will be funding world-class research to help more people, like George, survive.

"Together, we will beat cancer."

To buy a Unity Band and make a donation, visit one of Cancer Research UK’s shop across Glasgow or go online at cruk.org/worldcancerday