Professor Mario Caccamo is CEO of Niab, having started his role in October 2021. Mario was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma that same year.
Hodgkin lymphoma is an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels and glands spread throughout your body.
As part of FCN’s #NipItInTheBud campaign, in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, Mario has discussed his cancer diagnosis and treatment – and highlights the importance of early detection in improving health outcomes.
A longer audio recording of this interview is available below:
Hi Mario, please tell us about your cancer diagnosis.
I was diagnosed at the age of 49 in 2021, during the Covid lockdown. I noticed a small lump in my chest. When I went to the GP they didn’t think it was anything to be concerned about, but I had a CT scan to be on the safe side. Following this scan I was diagnosed with a lymphoma. An additional biopsy confirmed it was a Hodgkin lymphoma.
How did you feel when you received your diagnosis?
Because of the lockdowns, my diagnosis was revealed over the phone, which was hard. My immediate reaction was one of shock. I didn’t expect the diagnosis as I wasn’t feeling particularly unwell.
The initial 24 hours after diagnosis were especially difficult. You have so many questions and the doctors can’t necessarily answer them – they need to check and do additional tests. My sister had previously received a lymphoma diagnosis, which meant I had some knowledge of what I could expect next. But it was still a huge shock and there was a lot of uncertainty.
What was it like for your family?
It was difficult to break the news to my wife and children. The word ‘cancer’ carries a lot of weight. It was difficult to manage. I have five children of different ages, so there were different reactions. The early days were tough, there was a lot of waiting. It could take a bit of time to get answers. My family were so important throughout my diagnosis and treatment.
Mario with his family during his treatment.
What were some of the symptoms you experienced, and what was the treatment like?
Looking back, there were some symptoms. I had night sweats and fatigue. I had a cough that wouldn’t go away. In isolation these symptoms could mean different things, but when they came together and wouldn’t go away, it was an alarm bell.
I had chemotherapy over a 6 month period, which involved chemo sessions every second week. During my treatment I experienced chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, which affected the sensitivity in my fingers and toes. I also had some gout, which could be painful. It is natural that we try to ‘brave the pain’. But pain can be debilitating, and we have many options these days for managing pain. Science has progressed in incredible ways to manage some of these side effects.
Mario during his treatment.
My first treatment was unsuccessful, which meant I had to go through more aggressive treatment the second time around. It took me almost a year to get through it. It was challenging to see your body change. Your body changes dramatically and you need to remain optimistic and believe that this is only a temporary change. It is amazing how the body can recover and how resilient humans can be.
People in the farming / agricultural sectors are very busy – how did you juggle going through treatment with your role and responsibilities?
I would say for me, I found talking to people very helpful. I learned how other people have approached the challenge of a cancer diagnosis. The chemotherapy is a learning experience, as you see how your body will react to it. It is important to listen to your body. You will feel differently depending on the day, and some days are better than others.
Listen to nurses and doctors, and find ways of managing your health that works for you. Physical jobs will be more constraining when you’re more tired, but there may be a compromise where you can continue working in a reduced capacity. Importantly – don’t delay your treatment for work. Timing is important when it comes to cancer and how you move forward. You can come back to your role better and faster if you get treated sooner. You’d be surprised by how much you can do when you look after your health and don’t push yourself too hard.
Mario filmed the below video with Niab in 2021 whilst undergoing his cancer treatment:
Did you receive support from charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support?
I found the materials from charities such a Macmillan Cancer Support very helpful. It helped me to understand the side effects and what was happening to my body. I found close friends very valuable, talking to them about what I was going through and how I felt.
We are lucky in the UK to have such a supportive healthcare system. The fact that our system is accessible to everyone cannot be taken for granted. When I was in hospital receiving my treatment, I shared that space with people from all corners of society and life, and I think that’s a great thing.
Mario’s ‘Chuff Chart’ marking his initial chemotherapy sessions.
What would your advice be to people reading this article?
A lot of people’s first reaction when worried about their health is ‘I don’t want to bother the doctor’. If you see a change in your health that you cannot easily explain, don’t try to explain it away. I recommend checking with the doctor anyway and being on the safe side. It’s much better long-term to deal with any issues earlier than later and to ‘Nip it in the Bud’.
No one knows ‘you’ more than yourself. It is a good idea to push for tests if you feel you are not satisfied with the answer. Don’t give up or leave it be, especially if the symptoms are not going away on their own.
How has having cancer changed you and your outlook on life?
You put immense stress on your body while going through cancer and its treatment. I focus on important things in life – such as friends and family. We need to nurture the connections that we value. We need to make sure we have a positive outlook and be excited about the things we do in life. We are humans and we are part of a bigger network, and we all have a role to play.
A recent photo of Mario in his role with Niab.