Dave Paxton, a 38-year-old father-of-one from Burton-on-Trent in Staffordshire, was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bowel cancer – a grade-four squamous cell tumor of the duodenum, which develops in the lining of the small intestine. Only 22 other cases have been documented worldwide.
Dave discovered he had cancer only after a routine question from a pharmacist. While ordering medication for his anxiety, the pharmacist asked if he had any other health concerns. Dave, unexpectedly, mentioned that he had noticed his stool had a dark color. This seemingly minor observation prompted him to book a GP appointment just four days later.
Doctors conducted tests, including an endoscopy, which ultimately revealed the rare form of cancer. Since this devastating diagnosis, the cancer has spread to Dave’s liver, causing excessive bleeding that requires blood transfusions every four days. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy to prevent further spread.
“This is terrifying and the treatment side effects are horrendous, but I’m very grateful to the pharmacist for checking in with me. I had noticed but wasn’t thinking much of it,” Dave told Yorkshire Live. “The diagnosis was such a shock. All I could think about was my son, I just burst into tears. But I also knew I had to get on with it. The cancer is so rare they just can’t say how long I have, only that they are treating me to prolong my life.”
Dave’s twin brother, Mark, has launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds for a potentially life-saving immunotherapy treatment.
“The only option giving us hope right now is the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab, as this has been proven to work on this cancer in other locations, and in some circumstances, full results,” the fundraising page states. “But tragically, David’s insurance will not cover the cost of the drugs because it has not been proven in this extremely rare location. We’re now fighting not just the cancer, but the clock. These drugs are his best chance at more time with his 9-year-old son Stanley, and with all of us.”
Dave mentioned that doctors are unsure how he developed this rare type of cancer at such a young age, calling it "bad luck." However, he remains hopeful that if he receives the 24 sessions of immunotherapy, he could be “in remission and looking towards Christmas and a new start.”
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