Professor Witney has spent his career developing technologies to better detect and treat cancer. In 2023, however, his professional expertise was tested in a very personal way when his wife, Sarah, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Seeing cancer from a unique perspective
As a scientist, Professor Witney was used to analysing tumours in the lab and co-leading clinical trials. But when he saw Sarah’s ultrasound scan, he immediately recognised what the image showed. While his knowledge gave him early clarity, it also meant he carried an acute awareness of the challenges ahead.
Waiting for biopsy results and making treatment decisions became an experience shaped by both professional insight and personal emotion. “Researchers know how resilient cancer can be,” he reflects, “and that knowledge can sometimes add to the worry.”
At Guy’s Cancer Centre, where Sarah received her treatment, the couple were guided through the options by clinicians who drew directly on the latest research available. For Tim, being able to see the data behind the recommendations was invaluable.
“Having the evidence and data in front of us just reminded me how essential research is, not just in discovery, but in helping patients make informed choices about their care.”
Care beyond treatment
The couple were also struck by the role of the wider healthcare team. The dedication and empathy of nurses in the chemotherapy unit made a lasting impression, helping to make a difficult process more bearable.
At the same time, Professor Witney saw how demanding treatment can be for families and carers. Managing responsibilities at home while supporting a loved one through cancer can be exhausting, with the impact often felt most keenly after treatment ends. Recognising and addressing the needs of carers, he argues, is an area where much more support is required.
Back in the lab, the experience has deepened Professor Witney’s sense of purpose. His group at King’s focuses on therapy-resistant cancers, tumours that survive first-line treatments and are often responsible for recurrence. By using targeted radioactive agents, his team aims to precisely destroy cancer cells while limiting damage to healthy tissue.
Seeing the side effects of chemotherapy firsthand has reinforced the importance of this work. “Chemotherapy is effective, but it can be incredibly tough on patients. If we can develop treatments that are equally effective but less toxic, the benefits for patients could be transformative.”
Through a recent King’s spin-out, Nuclide Therapeutics, where he is Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, his laboratory is now moving closer to translating these technologies into the clinic.
Today, Sarah is doing well. Her treatment was completed successfully, and with regular follow-up her prognosis remains positive. For Professor Witney, the experience has not only strengthened his motivation as a cancer researcher but also provided a new appreciation of what patients and families live through every day.