Melanoma Focus

Melanoma Focus The UK’s leading melanoma charity funding research, raising awareness plus support for patients & healthcare professionals. Melanoma Helpline: 0808 801 0777

Melanoma Focus is a national charity dedicated to providing a comprehensive and authoritative source of information and support for patients, public and professionals alike, as well as supporting education and promoting research about melanoma.

You probably wouldn’t think this could put your skin on fire 🔥…Walking the dog 🐕Driving long distances 🚗Watching the kid...
22/08/2026

You probably wouldn’t think this could put your skin on fire 🔥…

Walking the dog 🐕
Driving long distances 🚗
Watching the kids play football ⚽
Gardening 🌿
Eating lunch outside 🥪

These everyday activities can all expose your skin to excessive UV rays, even when you’re not sunbathing.

That’s why Skin On Fire is not just about holidays. It’s about protecting your skin every day.

💙 Before heading outside:
☀️ Check the UV Index via your trusty weather app.
🧴 Wear broad spectrum SPF 30+ (minimum) when the UV Index is 3 (moderate) or above.
🧢 Cover up where you can with wide brimmed hats and protective clothing.

Small habits can make a BIG difference.

💬 Which one surprised you the most?

Sheffield is changing the game on sun protection, and we are proud to support them! On Saturday 15 August, we joined pa...
21/08/2026

Sheffield is changing the game on sun protection, and we are proud to support them!

On Saturday 15 August, we joined partners, local organisations, councilors and members of the Sheffield community at Endcliffe Park to celebrate the launch of Sun Safe Sheffield.

The initiative is a pilot scheme led by the South West Area Local Committee in Sheffield, making free sunscreen available at cafés in Endcliffe Park and Forge Dam to help make sun protection more accessible to those enjoying Sheffield’s parks and green spaces.

It was fantastic to meet so many members of the public and have conversations about the importance of sun safety, preventing sunburn, and protecting your skin.

The initiative started with an idea from Charlotte Killeya, a melanoma patient, raised at a South West Local Area Committee public meeting. Charlotte’s passion for improving awareness of skin cancer prevention helped turn that idea into something that can make a real difference in the community.

We’re incredibly proud to have been a partner of the project, sharing our expertise and supporting the initiative on the day with our fundraising manager in attendance.

It was wonderful to see so many organisations come together, including Park Cancer Charity, Sheffield, and Friends of the Porter Valley

This event showed that true changes can happen when communities, health organisations, voluntary organisations, local businesses, and the council work together with a shared goal.

We hope this pilot can help more people protect their skin and encourage conversations about sun safety.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make sure Sun Safe Sheffield possible, and to everyone who stopped by to see us on the day!

A new step forward for personalised melanoma treatment 🧬Exciting results have been announced from a large Phase 3 clinic...
20/08/2026

A new step forward for personalised melanoma treatment 🧬

Exciting results have been announced from a large Phase 3 clinical trial investigating a personalised cancer vaccine for those with high-risk melanoma following surgery.

The treatment, called intismeran, is an individualized mRNA-based therapy designed using information from a person’s own melanoma.

In the Phase 3 INTerpath-001 trial, people with completely resected, high-risk stage IIB-IV cutaneous melanoma received either:
Intismeran and pembrolizumab or pembrolizumab alone.

At a planned interim analysis, the combination demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival compared with pembrolizumab alone.

This is particularly significant because it is the first Phase 3 trial of an mRNA-based cancer therapy to report positive results, and the first Phase 3 study to demonstrate a clinically meaningful improvement over pembrolizumab alone in the adjuvant treatment of resected melanoma.

So, how does a personalised cancer vaccine work?

Rather than being a vaccine that prevents cancer, personalised cancer vaccines are designed to help the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.

A sample of a person’s melanoma is analysed to identify genetic changes that can give rise to neoantigens. An individualised mRNA vaccine is then developed to provide temporary instructions that help the immune system recognise these targets.

These results mark an important development in the growing field of personalised melanoma treatment.

Importantly, intismeran is still an investigational treatment and is not currently routinely available for those with melanoma. The trial will continue to follow participants to assess longer-term outcomes, including overall survival.

We’ll continue to follow developments in this exciting area of melanoma research.

You can find out more by visiting our website HERE: https://bit.ly/PositivePhase3ResultsforIntismeranmRNACancerVaccineinHigh-RiskMelanoma

Life after a melanoma diagnosis can bring changes that aren’t always easy to talk about, from confidence and identity to...
20/08/2026

Life after a melanoma diagnosis can bring changes that aren’t always easy to talk about, from confidence and identity to relationships, work, uncertainty about the future and simply figuring out what comes next.

For those living beyond an advanced melanoma diagnosis, this virtual 5-week course could be for you: Living Well With and Beyond Advanced Melanoma Group Coaching Course led and organised by Dr Suze Mellor, GP and cancer coach living beyond her own stage 4 melanoma diagnosis, offers a supportive space to explore some of these challenges alongside others who understand.

This course is for those with:

Stage 4 melanoma who have been on their current treatment for at least two years or stage 3 melanoma treated with adjuvant therapy, who were diagnosed more than two years ago.

You will have the opportunity to:
💭 Explore what matters most to you
🌱 Develop practical strategies to support your wellbeing
💬 Reflect on changes in identity and confidence
🤝 Connect with others who have experienced melanoma
🔎 Think about how you want to move forward

The next two courses are running on Monday lunchtimes:
📅 September course: 7 September – 5 October 2026
📅 November course: 9 November – 7 December 2026
💻 Online via Zoom

There is no pressure to share personal experiences unless you feel comfortable doing so.

If this sounds like the course for you, find out more and register HERE:
https://melanomafocus.org/living-well-with-and-beyond-advanced-melanoma-coaching-course/

19/08/2026

Skin On Fire | What’s in your luggage? 🔥

Sunscreen? ✔️
Swimsuit? ✔️
Passport? ✔️

But have you packed everything you need to protect your skin? 👀

In this video, Melanoma Focus Ambassador and Consultant Dermatologist Dr Sarah Elyoussfi shares the essential sun safety items to pack before going on holiday, whether that’s in the UK or abroad ☀️

From broad spectrum SPF30+ to a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and protective clothing, the right preparation can help you enjoy your time in the sun while reducing unnecessary UV exposure.

And remember, sunscreen should not be your only line of defense.
☀️ Check the UV Index via your weather app
🧴 Pack and regularly reapply broad spectrum SPF 30+ every 2 hours when the UV Index is 3 (moderate) or above.
🧢 Wear a hat and protective clothing
🕶️ Don't forget to wear UV-protective sunglasses
🌳 Seek shade during peak hours 11am – 3pm

Watch Dr Sarah Elyoussfi’s video and make sure your skin safety essentials make it into your suitcase!

18/08/2026

Skin On Fire doesn't stop at prevention. It starts conversations that could save lives.

Hear from Melanoma Focus Ambassador Ewan Wilson, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, explains why barbers are in a unique position to spot suspicious changes on the scalp, neck and ears. Areas we often forget to check ourselves.

Through The Life Saving Haircut, we’re encouraging barbers to recognise the signs of melanoma and other skin cancers and encourage their clients to seek medical advice if they notice something unusual.

Early detection saves lives.
If you’re a barber, join thousands of professionals helping to make every haircut an opportunity to protect their client’s health and future.

Learn more and download our FREE guide HERE: https://melanomafocus.org/about-us/may-is-melanoma-awareness-month/awareness-for-barbers/

Have you had a conversation with a client about a new, changing or unusual mole or lesion that you have found? Get in touch with us to tell your story: [email protected]

Every step can help change someone’s future. This autumn, we’re inviting YOU to take part in the Melanoma Movement Chall...
17/08/2026

Every step can help change someone’s future.

This autumn, we’re inviting YOU to take part in the Melanoma Movement Challenge. Five weeks of movement to support those affected by the 5th most common cancer in the UK.

From 1 October – 5 November, set yourself a goal and get moving your way.
🚶 Walk the dog.
🏃 Go for a run.
🚴 Cycle to work.
🏌️ Play golf.
🏊 Swim.
💃 Dance around your living room.

Choose your movement goal:
20 hours = just over 30 minutes a day
35 hours = 1 hour a day
50 hours = just under 1.5 hours a day
Or pick your own movement goal!

Whichever way you choose to move, every mile, every step and every £1 raised will help Melanoma Focus continue funding vital research, supporting patients and families, educating healthcare professionals and raising vital awareness of melanoma.

💙 Ready to make every movement matter?
👉 Find out more HERE: https://melanomafocus.org/get-involved/challenge-events/the-melanoma-movement-challenge/

Tag the person you'd love to take on the challenge with and make a lasting difference with 👇

14/08/2026

Only a few days left to WIN! ⏰

Have you made your Skin On Fire Promise yet?

There’s still time to win a LifeJacket Family Sunscreen Pack, kindly donated by our partners LifeJacket Skin Protection, but the competition closes at 9am on Monday 17th August.

We’re asking one simple question:

💬 What’s ONE thing you’ll do differently to stop your skin being “on fire”?

Maybe you’ll promise to:
☀️ Wear broad spectrum SPF 30+ (minimum) whenever the UV Index is 3 (moderate) or above.
🧢 Cover up with a hat and sunglasses.
🚫 Stop using sunbeds.
📱 Check the UV Index before heading outside.
🔍 Check your skin every month.

To enter:
✅ Follow Melanoma Focus and
❤️ Like this post
💬 Comment with your Skin On Fire Promise
👥 Tag a friend
✨ Bonus entry: Share this post to your Facebook Story and tag us both!

Don’t miss your chance to protect your skin with LifeJacket Skin Protection’s Family Pack Kit worth £72!

📅 Competition closes Monday 17th August at 9am.

Good luck! 🍀

13/08/2026

“There’s something I wish I’d never done…” 🔥

Before becoming a GP, Melanoma Focus Ambassador Dr Gareth Patterson used sunbeds.

At the time, like many people, he made a choice without fully understanding the risks.

Today, after his own experience with melanoma, Dr Gareth Patterson is sharing his story, not to just anyone who has used a sunbed, but to prevent anyone else from using them.

Because we all make choices we wish we could change.

What matters is what we know now.

As part of our Skin On Fire campaign, we want to have an honest conversation about sunbed use and UV exposure. No judgement. No shame. Just better information to help protect ourselves and the people we care about.

There is no safe way to tan through UV exposure, but it’s never too late to make a different choice.

If Dr Gareth’s story has moved you, you can help turn that emotion into action 💙

The Government’s consultation on strengthening the regulation of commercial sunbeds in England closes tomorrow.

If you believe under-18s should be better protected from accessing sunbeds, now is the time to have your say ⏳

Respond to the consultation before it closes 👉 https://lnkd.in/eHpURbhz

12/08/2026

"I'll get a base tan before my holiday..."🔥

It’s one of the most common reasons people give for using a sunbed. But it’s based on a myth.

Melanoma Focus’ Consultant Dermatologist Ambassador: Dr Sarah Elyoussfi explains why a “base tan” won’t protect your skin.

☀️ A tan is NOT protection
🧬 It’s your skin responding to DNA damage caused by UV rays.

That’s why, as part of our Skin On Fire campaign, we’re challenging dangerous misconceptions about sunbeds and tanning.

⏰ Tomorrow, we’ll be sharing an important opportunity to support stronger regulations around commercial sunbeds and help protect children and young people from misleading claims.

Watch this space.

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