Galwayman credits clinical trial with helping his cancer battle
A Galway man diagnosed with leukaemia has credited a clinical trial for dramatically reducing his white blood cell count.
Aidan McNamara was having his annual check-up with a GP in 2013 when a blood test showed he had elevated white blood cells. Further tests revealed he had chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), for which there was no effective treatment.
Aidan, a salesman in the food industry living in Knocknacarra, recalls that he was advised to adopt a ‘watch and wait’ approach and undergo close monitoring.
“Back then there was no particular treatment for my cancer. Last year, I was attending my consultant and it was noted that my white blood cell count was increasing, which would indicate my body was continuing to fight an infection or inflammation,” he explained.
“My consultant mentioned that there was a new clinical trial for CLL featuring two types of chemotherapy drug. The trial was operating out of the University of Cologne in Germany and he asked me if I would be interested. I immediately said yes.”
The avid golfer and married father of two started the trial last December and it will continue for a year.
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