An Oakham grandad diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer eight years ago opened the new Cancer Research UK store in the town.

Steve Bent – who is passionate about supporting life-saving research – was diagnosed with liver cancer following a routine blood test in 2016.

Today, two in four people survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK wants to accelerate progress and see 3 in 4 people surviving their cancer by 2034. 

The new store, which has relocated from the town centre to Tungsten Retail Park, on Panniers Way, has everything from furniture to electrical items, clothing, soft furnishings and gifts. All profits will fund life-saving research to help develop gentler and more effective treatments for cancer.

The new shop is much larger and sells a wide range of new and used goods. Image credit: Nub News.

And Steve knows all too well how vital new research and treatments can be to families like his.

The 73-year-old was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma – the most common type of primary liver cancer – following a routine blood test at a wellman clinic in November 2016.

Following an ultra sound, CT scan, PET scan, and a biopsy, Steve was given the devastating news he had inoperable liver cancer – and was given just months to live.

Steve, a keen cyclist who coaches football at a local school, said: "I have always been fit and healthy so getting the cancer diagnosis was a huge shock. I didn't feel at all poorly and the tumour – which measured 20cm by 10cm – was only picked up through a routine blood test at a wellman clinic I attended regularly.

"I didn't smoke or drink yet scans showed my liver to resemble a heavy drinker."

Find Oakham's Cancer Research UK shop in Tungsten Retail Park. Image credit: Nub News.

In January 2017, doctors told Steve they didn't think he would live long enough to see his second grandchild being born in March and he was offered palliative care. But determination and positivity as well as numerous treatments to shrink the tumour – including radiotherapy and an immunotherapy drug trial at King's College Hospital in London – has seen Steve thrive and he now has four gorgeous grandchildren.

Steve, now married to Sue, has an infusion every three weeks at King's and a CT scan every 12 weeks to monitor and control his cancer – and he says he knows all too well how vital new research and treatments can help people like him.

He added: "When I was told I only had months to live I remember sitting with Sue staring at the fireplace and crying. I had lost my first wife, Marion, to cancer in March 2007 after she battled it for five years and it all came back to me and my children.

"But then I just thought, get on with it, fight it and when I was offered to take part in the drugs trial and was told it could be a disaster or a miracle – I realised I didn't have anything to lose."

Find bargains for men, women and children in the new shop. Image credit: Nub News.

Steve, a former site manager, said: "Cancer doesn't discriminate – it can affect anyone of any age and from any background. I will be forever grateful for the research and clinical trials – they have given me more time with my family and I now live for today. It's important to keep going and do whatever you can when you can – I do.

"I'm really honoured to be opening the new Cancer Research UK shop. I'll be making regular visits and encouraging everyone I know to dig out good quality donations."

Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has seen survival in the UK double in the last 40 years. Its research has led to more than 50 cancer drugs used across the UK - and around the world - from chemotherapies to new-generation precision treatments. With around 33,800 people diagnosed with cancer every year in West Midlands, the charity is determined to continue its mission of funding life-saving research. 

Store manager, Fiona Riley, said: "We are incredibly grateful to Steve for opening our wonderful new store. It's an honour to have him with us and we hope his story encourages people to support the charity so that we can continue to fund the very best scientists.

"We're always looking for volunteers and donations of furniture, good-quality clothes, shoes, bags, books and homeware are welcome. As Steve's story shows, all money raised is desperately needed to fund crucial research."

The Oakham superstore will be open Monday to Saturday 8.30am until 5pm and Sunday 10am until 4pm.

The old shop was located in Oakham Market Place. Image credit: Nub News.

Find the new Cancer Research UK shop at:

Unit 2

Tungsten Retail Park

Panniers Way

Oakham

Rutland

LE15 7XA

Cancer Research UK is the world's leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research, influence and information, and its pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.

For more information about Cancer Research UK's shops, click here or follow @CRUKShops on Twitter and Facebook.