[Text] Every year, more than 1500 cancer patients at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust decide to take part in clinical trials.
Andreas: My name’s Andreas Georgiou and as the name suggests I’m Greek, from Cyprus.
I came here at a very young age when I was 11 years old. I’ve worked as a motor mechanic for 50 years; I had my own business very local to the hospital near here, for 20 years.
I’ve also been in the Greek army, where I was a tank driver for two years. I’ve had a very interesting life.
I was diagnosed four years ago with advanced prostate cancer, which is untreatable.
The consultant at the Pru [Princess Royal], which is where I was originally, suggested if I wanted to volunteer for the clinical trials, which I did – I didn’t have second thoughts.
She explained to me that if there were any problems, or if there were side effects, they would help you get over them.
They’ve been very good at it anyway. All I can say is that I haven’t looked back on my first decision.
I’ve already done five trials up to the moment. I’ve had no big, major side effects.
You get 24-hour, seven-days-a-week support from the actual staff at Guy's. If I’ve got any problems whatsoever I can phone up and they will ask me to come in straight away and they will look after me.
Since I’ve been coming here I’ve met so many people – doctors, nurses and all the staff, and I feel at home coming to the hospital.
It feels like a family to me because they’ve been so good to me. If anybody asked me to give them advice about doing trials, I’d say 'Yes, definitely'. It’s done me a world of good.
Plus it gives you hope, which a lot of people lose. So at the moment I’ve got a lot of hope, and I know I’m not going to last forever, but as long as I can.
[Text] This film was made as part of the patient experience programme. With thanks to all the patients and staff who took part. For more information about taking part in clinical trials, askOHCT@gstt.nhs.uk.