Philip Duncombe's world was turned upside down by a prostate cancer diagnosis at just 52 years old. The news arrived shortly after he and his partner, Sue, returned from a dream holiday to South Africa, where they had decided to marry.
A Diagnosis and a Determined Response
Following a routine PSA test that showed elevated results, Philip was diagnosed in 2004. Embracing his lifelong mantra, 'What are you waiting for?', the couple swiftly organised their wedding for May 2005, before Philip underwent surgery to remove his prostate.
Sadly, the cancer returned a year later. Philip endured nine rounds of chemotherapy, but within a couple of years, the disease became resistant and spread to his bones. His health declined sharply; he was often too exhausted to leave home or play the golf he loved.
The Lifeline of a Clinical Trial
In January 2009, with options running out, Philip's oncologist suggested joining a Phase III clinical trial for abiraterone, a drug for patients where chemotherapy had failed. Living in Oxford, they had local access to the trial.
The impact was dramatic. Within two weeks, Philip's PSA levels fell significantly and his energy returned. 'I was staggered by the impact abiraterone had on his quality of life,' Sue recalled. The improvement was so profound that Philip soon planned a return trip to South Africa, where he played golf and they revisited meaningful places from their pre-diagnosis holiday.
Eight Months of Cherished Living
The drug gifted the couple eight months of active, quality time. They travelled to Provence, enjoyed a flotilla holiday in the Mediterranean, and made the most of life with family and friends. This period stood in stark contrast to the exhaustion Philip had previously endured.
Tragically, the treatment eventually stopped working. Philip died on Christmas Day 2009, at the age of 57. The date, which he had often called 'just another day', became a poignant anniversary for Sue.
A Legacy of Hope and New Beginnings
In the difficult years that followed, Sue volunteered with the charity Crisis on Christmas Day and found strength in Philip's positive outlook. Her advocacy for prostate cancer awareness and research led her to meet Patrick McGuire, who had also lost a spouse to cancer; they married in 2016.
Sue remains a passionate campaigner, proud that Philip's participation in the trial helped pave the way for other men. 'Abiraterone gave us almost an extra year of quality time together,' she said. 'When a drug has such an impact, it's not just that person that benefits, but their family and friends too.'
She continues to honour his memory, sharing his story to highlight the critical importance of cancer research and the lasting legacy it can create for patients and their loved ones.
