A BUSINESSMAN has refused to let cancer wreck his life.
Michael Black, of Clayton West, has just completed a gruelling course of chemotherapy, to fight bowel and liver cancer.
But the treatment has not involved long stays in hospital.
Instead, Mr Black has been able to have the treatment at home and continue to lead a near-normal life with his family and at work.
Mr Black, who is general sales manager for a local food ingredient company, was diagnosed with cancer last September.
But the new chemotherapy treatment at home and work, arranged through Bupa, has so far been a success.
The treatment is not currently available through the NHS.
Mr Black said: "By having chemotherapy at home or in the office, I have had some control over the cancer, rather than allowing the cancer to control me.
"Most importantly, I have been able to maintain my routine at work and home to sustain some kind of normality amid the disruption of living with the disease.
The service is offered by Bupa and provided via the Healthcare at Home organisation.
It enables some cancer patients , such as Mr Black, to receive chemotherapy in their own home rather than going to hospital.
It is estimated that up to a quarter of all UK patients receiving chemotherapy in hospital could benefit from treatment at home.
Mr Black said: "It's made such a difference in my attitude to my illness. My nurse, Sarah, has become a friend, which gives this treatment a really personal touch.
"She gives me chemotherapy through a line in my hand while we chat with the TV on."
"Between treatments I enjoy life with my wife and daughters. I haven't been able to play golf and do as much hill-walking as I'd like, but I am getting fit and looking forward to getting out."
A Bupa spokeswoman said: "Being on chemotherapy can be emotionally draining, demoralising and exhausting. The last thing you want to be worrying about is how to get to and from hospital."
Nurses will administer treatment, which can take anything from 20 minutes to 10 hours.
