In April 2023, Dai, 70, was diagnosed with melanoma in his foot. Following surgery, biopsy results showed his cancer had spread to his lymph nodes. This means he has a greater risk of recurrence.
Dai was referred to The Royal Marsden to receive immunotherapy and opted to join the EXACT trial, which receives funding from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Unfortunately, Dai did have a recurrence, but he is now on a new trial for a leading-edge treatment. This is his story.
Receiving a melanoma diagnosis
“In April 2023, I was diagnosed with a malignant acral lentiginous melanoma in my foot.”
“We went to a wedding abroad in January 2023, and my wife commented that she didn’t like the look of my heel. When we came back to the UK, we went to the GP who referred me to a podiatrist.”
“Three weeks later, there was a rounded growth on my heel and the podiatrist sent me right back to my GP who sent me for a biopsy. My results came back as a malignant acral melanoma.”
“In mid-May, I had surgery to have the cancer removed from my foot, along with a sentinel node biopsy. The results confirmed that my cancer had spread. They did an additional test to check the melanoma from my foot had been successfully removed, and thankfully it had.”
Coming to The Royal Marsden
“Due to the results of my sentinel node biopsy, they told me that I qualified for immunotherapy treatment. I was transferred to The Royal Marsden in July under the care of Professors Samra Turajlic and James Larkin and I started undergoing immunotherapy treatment, called Pembrolizumab, almost straight away.”
“They told me this would be a type of Adjuvant therapy (which is often used after primary treatments, such as surgery, to lessen the chance of cancer coming back). I had it every six weeks at Chelsea.”
Joining the EXACT trial
Dai joined the EXACT clinical trial led by Professor Samra Turajlic, Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden. The trial, which receives funding from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, is one of the most comprehensive studies dedicated to investigating the inflammatory side effects of immunotherapy.
“When I met the EXACT clinical trial research team, they gave me all the information I needed in a totally understandable and clear way.”
“Initially I didn’t have any side effects from my treatment but I did start to experience a few, mainly to do with swollen joints and pain in my joints. This was difficult at times, but I thought it could be a lot worse!”
Outstanding support from The Royal Marsden
“From the very first appointment I had at The Royal Marsden with Professor Samra Turajlic, I knew I was in the best hands. Samra was amazing and explained everything to me so well. I couldn’t have asked for better care.”
“The support that comes from being a trial patient at The Royal Marsden is second to none.”
“The support that comes from being a trial patient at The Royal Marsden is second to none. The team are so reassuring and say I can call them at any time if I’m worried about anything.”
“Professor Larkin and his team are an outstanding group of professionals. They give you a very clear message about how energised and committed they are to be treating this disease – and how active they are in being at the forefront of pioneering cancer treatments.”
Cancer recurrence and starting a new trial
Unfortunately, Dai's cancer journey is not quite over yet, and he has since had a recurrence: "I had a number of surgeries more recently to remove new melanomas. Following this, it was decided by my medical teams to put me on a new leading edge treatment called T-VEC." This is under the management of Mr Myles Smith, Consultant Surgical Oncologist and General Surgeon at The Royal Marsden.
T-VEC is a local immunotherapy treatment that kills melanoma cells in the skin and lymph nodes, while avoiding normal, healthy cells. “I started this treatment in July 2024" says Dai. "It is a 12-month treatment every two weeks. I have signed up to the equivalent of the EXACT programme for this pioneering new treatment.”
Why I take part in clinical trials
“Anything I can do to contribute towards research like this is fundamental for the future – otherwise things don’t progress.”
“For me, taking part in and contributing towards research like this is a no brainer. I wouldn’t be where I am and getting the treatment I’m receiving today if other people before me hadn’t volunteered to take part in research.”
Help us fund innovative research
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity is the largest charitable funder of research at The Royal Marsden. Thanks to our supporters, we can fund pioneering clinical trials – like the one Dai has taken part in – which help improve treatment and care for patients at The Royal Marsden, across the UK, and all over the world.
Discover more about ways you can support us.