A SOUTHAMPTON doctor is going the extra mile to raise vital funds for his patients' treatment.

Dr Hugo De Le Pena, a cancer consultant at the University Hospital Southampton, is training for the London Marathon to raise money for clinical trials.

The father of three hopes that the money he raises will help more people access the treatment.

He said: "With 200 different types of cancer, money for research soon runs out.

"Clinical trials are my passion, and I put all my patients in clinical trials if available, that is the only way in which cure rates increase and less toxic treatments develop.

"We should always aim to cure cancer, but if we can’t, then we need treatments to convert cancer into a chronic disease rather than a life-limiting one."

Recently, Hugo himself was diagnosed with early skin cancer, which he was able to treat himself by applying a chemotherapy cream.

He said: "My eight-year-old son pointed out how ironic it was that I am a cancer consultant and I got cancer. But it just shows that no one is exempt from this brutal disease.

"Thankfully, after six weeks of treatment, my skin cancer has disappeared and I am just left with a scar, but it proves that it’s important to get everything checked out."

Korrie Weir from Woolston, before and after the treatment. (Image: Cancer Research UK)

Meanwhile, Korrie Weir from Woolston, who was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer two years ago, is a patient of Hugo.

The 38-year-old was given the opportunity to participate in the Cancer Research UK-funded Partner clinical trial.

Korrie said: "I remember being told I had cancer and thinking that with the type I had, I was going to die. But I met Dr Hugo De La Pena and he instantly put my mind at rest by telling me about the brilliant new clinical trial I could go on that was having fantastic results.

"My breast cancer melted away really quickly and two years later there’s no evidence of cancer.

"I’m now back at work and giving support and hope to people like my mum as she faces her own lymphoma cancer diagnosis."

Wind, rain, or snow, Hugo is on a mission to make things easy for his patients.

Speaking about his marathon training, he said: "Training is hard because I have to run four times a week around clinics with my patients, so some days I run either at 5am or late at night, then on Sunday I spend half the day doing a long run.

"So far, I have completed a 16-mile run and the thought of trying to do almost twice that on the day is daunting.

"But every time I feel tired from a run or I feel pain, I remember what my patients have been going through, and you just carry on. If I think of them on the day, I know it’ll be ok."

He has already raised £2,870 for Cancer Research UK before he runs the London Marathon, which will take place on Sunday, April 23.

To support Hugo's fundraiser, visit: 2023tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/hugo-de-la-pena