Hi, I am Geoff Tomlin. I live in Hobart Tas.
I am very new to CAG, just a couple of meetings so far but have been involved in NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia (NECA) projects developing the educational packages for medics and patients.
In August 2020, at seventy-five years old, I was initially diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas and liver, deemed by the GP to be incurable and inoperable. Just three months prior, I had buried my bother-in-law who had died from pancreatic cancer, and I simply said to my GP, “I know where this this is going so I am OK.”
I had two weeks of putting my things in order before my oncologist, following a biopsy, declared that it was neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). I feel very fortunate that my oncologist was very proactive and within two weeks I was in Peter Mac (Melbourne) for the first four doses of Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) over the next eight months. I tolerated the PRRT quite well and had monthly Lanreotide injections until April 2025, when monitoring scans and blood tests revealed renewed activity of the tumours which lead to two more doses of PRRT.
I remain quite active as president of the local croquet club, playing three days per week, and I also have a hobby manufacturing business, although I am very restricted doing anything at all strenuous.
NECA had been my only source of information about the disease, treatment options, and how to deal with the physical issues. My GP said he had not heard of NETs, and my Oncologist could not offer a prognosis.
The programs run by NECA seem to be the only means of gathering and sharing information about NETs, so I feel it is important for as many patients as possible to be involved in the group sessions and other activities.
I am in awe of the work undertaken by NECA, with patient support, education programs, political lobbying, sourcing funds and international affiliation.
More people, more noise, and more public understanding.
