In a remarkable twist of fate, a man from Wigan, United Kingdom, discovered a rare form of cancer after experiencing food poisoning. The case sheds light on the intricate relationship between seemingly unrelated health events and underscores the importance of vigilance in monitoring our bodies.
As reported in a recent press release from The Christie, known as “the largest single cancer center in Europe,” the journey began when the man fell ill due to food poisoning. While unpleasant, this seemingly ordinary event would soon reveal an extraordinary secret.
In May 2020, railway worker Terry Berry became sick after eating a fish pie. His symptoms were serious enough that he required immediate medical attention and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. The medical staff found a parasite in his bowels and, while the specific pathogen responsible for the food poisoning remains undisclosed, its impact was far-reaching.
Further investigation uncovered a shadow on his liver, which turned out to be a 10 centimeter-long cancerous tumor. The cancer, which had originated in his digestive system, was identified as cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of cancer that occurs between 0.3 and 3.5 cases per 100,000 annually.
Unfortunately, the tumor was deemed inoperable and Terry had few choices. Fortunately, he responded well to chemotherapy as part of a clinical trial and his tumor shrunk by nearly a quarter. However, after nearly eighteen months the cancer grew and then spread to his lungs. Terry was able to join a second clinical trial in September 2023 for ivosidenib, an oral drug used to treat “patients with bile duct cancer that has spread to other parts of the body or been previously treated.”
Today, Terry’s cancer is stable and, while he has good and bad days, he’s slowly returning to his former self. After first being diagnosed, Terry was worried he wouldn’t see his oldest daughter get married or get to meet his fourth grandchild. Thanks to an unfortunate bout of food poisoning, keen-eyed medical staff, and revolutionary cancer treatments, Terry attended his daughter Carla’s wedding and gets to spend time with his now three-year old grandson Archie.
Commenting on this article, one national food safety attorney said, “This gentleman’s journey from food poisoning to cancer diagnosis serves as a powerful reminder that our bodies communicate with us in mysterious ways. I strongly encourage anyone suffering from food poisoning to seek medical attention. You never know what your doctors may uncover.”
