Skin Cancer Research Fund - SCARF

Skin Cancer Research Fund - SCARF Based in Southmead Bristol, the Skin Cancer Research Fund was set up over 30 years ago to raise funds to help research into Skin Cancer.

Find our website here: http://bit.ly/1LYIB03.

04/03/2026

The SCaRF grant awards for this round are about to be announced! Watch this space...

20/01/2026

A skin cancer diagnosis doesn’t just affect the body, it impacts how a person feels, thinks, and lives. In this study, researchers explored the emotional impact of melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) through in-depth interviews with patients.

They found many shared experiences among people with melanoma and SCC. Most described feelings of shock, fear, and anxiety, particularly around the possibility of the cancer returning, even after successful treatment. Family support was vital for many, yet some worried about causing distress to loved ones or becoming a burden.

Over time, experiences differed. Some people reported developing a new appreciation for life and their own resilience, while others continued to struggle with scars, uncertainty and anxiety about their health. Many also said the diagnosis changed how they live, such as being more cautious in the sun and checking their skin more regularly.

This shows that responses to a skin cancer diagnosis are deeply personal. While some are common and expected, others may need additional support. With appropriate medical care and follow-up, many adjust over time and become more aware and proactive about their health.

DOI: 10.3390/jcm14248891

26/11/2025

Do our bodies hold the code to predict skin cancer outcomes?
Researchers in this study found that specific cells in the body, regulatory T cells (Tregs), can weaken the body’s ability to fight against skin cancer. They found that the activity of these Tregs were linked to 10 types of genes. These genes produce a “signature pattern” that can give researchers a clearer picture of a person’s chance at survival.

This study found that melanoma patients with certain high-risk patterns of Treg-linked genes had skin cancer cells with a more protective outer layer, making them harder to destroy. And those with low-risk Treg-linked patterns recorded stronger immune responses.

These researchers predict that therapy for skin cancer can be better targeted by gene pattern type, but more research needs to be done before we confidently use this to personalise treatment.

DOI: 10.1007/s10238-025-01941-3

06/10/2025

Your gut health may play a bigger role in cancer treatment than you think.

This study looked at people with melanoma who were starting immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), a type of immunotherapy that helps your body fight cancer. Researchers found that patients who took antibiotics within 6 weeks of starting ICI had a higher risk of worse outcomes; ICI were less effective at treating melanoma in this group. This is likely because antibiotics can disrupt the gut’s “good” bacteria, which are important for a strong immune response.

Antibiotics remain safe and necessary when used appropriately. However, you may wish to speak to your doctor about recent antibiotic use if you are about to start ICI.

DOI: 10.3390/cancers17111872

08/09/2025

Latest news from Cancer Research UK has found that while average smoking rates have fallen between 2006 and 2024, these rates aren’t dropping as fast as they would hope, even stalling in recent years. Smoking is largely known to have negative effects on our health, and this is no different for our skin.

Researchers in this study looked at melanoma progression and survival in smokers and non-smokers. They found that those smoking at the time of their diagnosis and continuing to do so, had shorter survival compared with never-smokers. However, former smokers at the time of diagnosis had similar rates of survival compared to those who had never smoked.

The researchers suggest this might be due to some negative effects of smoking being reversible. They encourage smokers to quit, especially those with a melanoma diagnosis, as a potential way to manage its progression. Ultimately, this prompts the need for more research delving into the effects of smoking cessation on skin cancer progression and survival.

Link to the study: DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.54751
Cancer Research UK: https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2025/03/19/smoking-rates-falling-fastest-in-north-england/

05/08/2025

Pregnancy and childbirth can be life-changing events. Pregnancy-associated melanomas (PAM) can therefore fly under the radar. These are melanomas found during pregnancy or up to a year after childbirth.

Researchers in this study looked at existing research on melanomas in pregnant and non-pregnant women. They found that to an extent, women diagnosed with PAM were more likely to survive, compared to those who were neither pregnant nor a year postpartum during their diagnosis.

However, this positive link does not last for long- after 5 years, survival rates in both groups become roughly the same. Researchers also suggest that PAM and other melanomas have the same chance of recurrence.

There is a lot we do not know about the relationship between pregnancy and melanoma, but this paper has given us valuable insight into how pregnant women can still have positive outcomes despite their diagnosis. If you have any concerns about PAM, we encourage you to bring them to the attention of your doctor, as special care may be recommended.

DOI: 10.1097/CMR.0000000000001043

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