Latest news with #StephenMaxwell
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Clydebank FC fan given year to live defies the odds to see team win league for first time in 20 years
Stephen Maxwell received the devastating news in 2023 just months after being diagnosed with the skin cancer melanoma. A cancer -stricken football fan told was he only had a year to live has defied the odds - and has now seen his team win the league for the first time in more than two decades. Stephen Maxwell received the devastating news in 2023 just months after being diagnosed with the skin cancer melanoma. Some 18 months later the 58-year-old was on cloud nine as he saw his beloved Clydebank FC lift the West of Scotland Premier Division cup at Holm Park on Saturday. Despite his diagnosis and undergoing treatment, he never missed a single Bankies game in the past year. He said: "It's the only thing I haven't missed out on. I've gone to every game because it's only down the road from me. "We won the league this year for the first time in 21 years. It was brilliant. That was my Saturday outing, down to watch the Bankies. "At the beginning of the season, we started off good, but I thought 'I'm not going to be here at the end'. "I made it and it was absolutely amazing. I got the match ball signed from the first game between Drumchapel and Clydebank in the league." The Duntocher resident discovered he had skin cancer in 2021 after his mum found a lump which looked a bit like a mole on his back. He was initially told by a doctor that it was benign. But the lump grew over the next two and a half years, eventually bursting and forcing Stephen to have it checked again. Shortly after arriving at his GP, he was rushed to West Glasgow Ambulatory Care Hospital at Yorkhill before undergoing immediate surgery to remove the tumour, which was said to be 'the size of his fist'. Stephen said: "I was sent to a specialist in Glasgow in 2021, and he took one look at it and said, 'it's benign, it'll fall off'. "I left it at that, but as time went on, it got bigger and bigger and burst a couple of times. The very last time it burst, I had to phone my brother to come down. "I was sent to the hospital at Yorkhill, and the doctor immediately phoned the surgeon. It took two and a half hours. "The tumour was the size of my hand and I thought 'my god this is worse than I thought'. "They only took the tumour out, the cancer was still there, and I needed more operations. "I underwent immunotherapy, and within three months, I was told it had not worked and it had spread to my bones. "I was basically put out to pasture. I was told I had six to twelve months to live, it was devastating. "It just knocked me off my feet." After this appointment, Stephen said he began to 'sort out his affairs'. But he would get a phone call in Spring 2024 from a doctor at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre that would change his life. Stephen added: "I came home and got my affairs in order. That was it, and I just lay in my bed. Then I got a call from Doctor Tan at the Beatson. "She said I'd been accepted for this new trial, would I like to come the next day and get the medication? "I thought, 'brilliant, of course I will'. I had been booked to go into a hospice just days later. "After getting the stuff, I went to my bed and I literally bounced out of bed in the morning. "I was put on a drug called Opdualag as well as steroids, and I just had the best six months of my life after that. "I did everything I wanted to do. I had a great summer, and in the winter I said cheerio to all my friends at the clubs I go to. "I thought that was me, this was it. That was when they'd said I was going to die, but then I didn't die. I'm still on steroids now, and I've started to go back to some of my wee clubs. "I was the first person in Scotland to be put on that trial, and the greatest thing about it was that most people were only getting three or four months before they had to come off it, whereas I got eight months. "I can't complain. The cancer is still in my bones but hasn't spread anywhere else." Melanoma Focus, a charity that funds research into treatments and causes of the illness, say that the rates of this form of skin cancer are climbing in the UK, with around 17,500 new cases every year. Melanoma is considered the most serious form of skin cancer as it reportedly has the highest mortality rate.
Glasgow Times
01-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Almost half of Scots have sunburn at least once a year, research finds
Research from charity Melanoma Focus also found 36% of people in the United Kingdom, and 32% of those in Scotland, rarely or never apply sunscreen between May and September. It comes as melanoma skin cancer rates continue to rise in the UK, with around 17,500 new cases each year. The research found 49% of people in the UK, and 45% in Scotland, suffer from sunburn at least once every year. Stephen Maxwell, 58, from Clydebank in West Dunbartonshire, was diagnosed with melanoma in 2022 and he is now urging people to take care in the sun. Mr Maxwell, who has never holidayed abroad, was shocked to be diagnosed with skin cancer and thinks it may stem from the decade he spent working in greenhouses growing plants. He said: 'I went to the doctor after my mum noticed a strange lump on my back. It was a bit like a mole and initially the doctor thought there was nothing to worry about. 'I had the lump for two-and-a-half years and it started getting bigger and it turned purple. 'Eventually it was properly diagnosed and I had it removed – it was a melanoma cancer tumour the size of my fist. I had immunotherapy but it didn't work and the cancer spread to my bones.' The father-of-four, who has eight grandchildren, was told 18 months ago that he had six to nine months to live. Days before he was due to go into a hospice, he was given the opportunity to take part in a medical trial for a new treatment and started a course of Opdualag and steroids. He said he had a 'great' six months before coming off Opdualag at Christmas after experiencing some side-effects, and is now taking steroids and having scans. 'I'm still having scans and although the cancer is still there, it hasn't spread further and I'm living with it and I'm still here,' he said. 'Any form of sun you must wear protection, even if it's a hat, always a T-shirt and definitely the creams. 'I'm not ginger but I've got wee ginger bits in my beard so that means I've got the ginger gene so when you've got that you're at risk. 'If anybody has got the ginger gene they must cover up, and with climate change being the way it is now Scotland is getting more hot weather.' The survey of 2,000 UK adults, including 165 in Scotland, was carried out by Censuswide in April. Commenting on the figures, Melanoma Focus chief executive Susanna Daniels said: 'This data is extremely concerning as we know that more than five sunburns in your lifetime doubles your risk of melanoma, so burning every year has potentially long-term dangerous consequences. 'Nearly nine in 10 melanomas are preventable yet the UK has more deaths from melanoma per year than Australia. 'It is essential that everyone understands the risks associated with sunburn and prioritises sun protection by using factor 30+ sunscreen, wearing a hat, seeking shade and covering up in the heat of the day.' Melanoma Focus said melanoma skin cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK. The charity is calling on the UK Government to abolish VAT on factor 30+ sunscreen to make it more affordable to everyone. A Government spokesperson said: 'As part of our 10-year plan to reform the health service, and through a national cancer plan, we are fighting cancer in England on all fronts, from prevention, to diagnosis, treatment, and research. 'As a result of the decisions taken at the Autumn Budget, the Scottish Government will be provided with a record £47.7 billion settlement this year and it is for the Scottish Government to allocate this across its own public sector and meet the priorities of people in Scotland.'
The Herald Scotland
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Almost half of Scots suffer sunburn at least once a year
It comes as melanoma skin cancer rates continue to rise in the UK, with around 17,500 new cases each year. The research found 49% of people in the UK, and 45% in Scotland, suffer from sunburn at least once every year. Stephen Maxwell, 58, from Clydebank in West Dunbartonshire, was diagnosed with melanoma in 2022 and he is now urging people to take care in the sun. Stephen Maxwell was diagnosed with melanoma in 2022 (Image: Stephen Maxwell/PA) Mr Maxwell, who has never holidayed abroad, was shocked to be diagnosed with skin cancer and thinks it may stem from the decade he spent working in greenhouses growing plants. He said: 'I went to the doctor after my mum noticed a strange lump on my back. It was a bit like a mole and initially the doctor thought there was nothing to worry about. 'I had the lump for two-and-a-half years and it started getting bigger and it turned purple. 'Eventually it was properly diagnosed and I had it removed – it was a melanoma cancer tumour the size of my fist. I had immunotherapy but it didn't work and the cancer spread to my bones.' The father-of-four, who has eight grandchildren, was told 18 months ago that he had six to nine months to live. READ MORE: Warm weather to blanket Scotland — but it won't last long Skin cancer symptoms, causes and how to avoid getting it Hundreds of Scottish pain patients die in agony in NHS queues Days before he was due to go into a hospice, he was given the opportunity to take part in a medical trial for a new treatment and started a course of Opdualag and steroids. He said he had a 'great' six months before coming off Opdualag at Christmas after experiencing some side-effects, and is now taking steroids and having scans. 'I'm still having scans and although the cancer is still there, it hasn't spread further and I'm living with it and I'm still here,' he said. 'Any form of sun you must wear protection, even if it's a hat, always a T-shirt and definitely the creams. 'I'm not ginger but I've got wee ginger bits in my beard so that means I've got the ginger gene so when you've got that you're at risk. 'If anybody has got the ginger gene they must cover up, and with climate change being the way it is now Scotland is getting more hot weather.' The survey of 2,000 UK adults, including 165 in Scotland, was carried out by Censuswide in April. Commenting on the figures, Melanoma Focus chief executive Susanna Daniels said: 'This data is extremely concerning as we know that more than five sunburns in your lifetime doubles your risk of melanoma, so burning every year has potentially long-term dangerous consequences. 'Nearly nine in 10 melanomas are preventable yet the UK has more deaths from melanoma per year than Australia. 'It is essential that everyone understands the risks associated with sunburn and prioritises sun protection by using factor 30+ sunscreen, wearing a hat, seeking shade and covering up in the heat of the day.' Melanoma Focus said melanoma skin cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK. The charity is calling on the UK Government to abolish VAT on factor 30+ sunscreen to make it more affordable to everyone. A Government spokesperson said: 'As part of our 10-year plan to reform the health service, and through a national cancer plan, we are fighting cancer in England on all fronts, from prevention, to diagnosis, treatment, and research. 'As a result of the decisions taken at the Autumn Budget, the Scottish Government will be provided with a record £47.7 billion settlement this year and it is for the Scottish Government to allocate this across its own public sector and meet the priorities of people in Scotland.'
STV News
01-05-2025
- Health
- STV News
Almost half of Scots suffer sunburn at least once a year, research finds
A skin cancer patient is urging people to wear sun cream and cover up as new figures show almost half of people in the UK have sunburn at least once a year. Research from charity Melanoma Focus also found 36% of people in the United Kingdom, and 32% of those in Scotland, rarely or never apply sunscreen between May and September. It comes as melanoma skin cancer rates continue to rise in the UK, with around 17,500 new cases each year. The research found 49% of people in the UK, and 45% in Scotland, suffer from sunburn at least once every year. Stephen Maxwell, 58, from Clydebank in West Dunbartonshire, was diagnosed with melanoma in 2022 and he is now urging people to take care in the sun. Mr Maxwell, who has never holidayed abroad, was shocked to be diagnosed with skin cancer and thinks it may stem from the decade he spent working in greenhouses growing plants. He said: 'I went to the doctor after my mum noticed a strange lump on my back. It was a bit like a mole and initially the doctor thought there was nothing to worry about. 'I had the lump for two-and-a-half years and it started getting bigger and it turned purple. 'Eventually it was properly diagnosed and I had it removed – it was a melanoma cancer tumour the size of my fist. I had immunotherapy but it didn't work and the cancer spread to my bones.' The father-of-four, who has eight grandchildren, was told 18 months ago that he had six to nine months to live. Days before he was due to go into a hospice, he was given the opportunity to take part in a medical trial for a new treatment and started a course of Opdualag and steroids. He said he had a 'great' six months before coming off Opdualag at Christmas after experiencing some side-effects, and is now taking steroids and having scans. 'I'm still having scans and although the cancer is still there, it hasn't spread further and I'm living with it and I'm still here,' he said. 'Any form of sun you must wear protection, even if it's a hat, always a T-shirt and definitely the creams. 'I'm not ginger but I've got wee ginger bits in my beard so that means I've got the ginger gene so when you've got that you're at risk. 'If anybody has got the ginger gene they must cover up, and with climate change being the way it is now Scotland is getting more hot weather.' The survey of 2,000 UK adults, including 165 in Scotland, was carried out by Censuswide in April. Commenting on the figures, Melanoma Focus chief executive Susanna Daniels said: 'This data is extremely concerning as we know that more than five sunburns in your lifetime doubles your risk of melanoma, so burning every year has potentially long-term dangerous consequences. 'Nearly nine in 10 melanomas are preventable yet the UK has more deaths from melanoma per year than Australia. 'It is essential that everyone understands the risks associated with sunburn and prioritises sun protection by using factor 30+ sunscreen, wearing a hat, seeking shade and covering up in the heat of the day.' Melanoma Focus said melanoma skin cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK. The charity is calling on the UK Government to abolish VAT on factor 30+ sunscreen to make it more affordable to everyone. The UK Government has been asked for comment. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Glasgow Times
01-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Clydebank man defies odds after being given a year to live
Stephen Maxwell received the devastating news in 2023, just months after being diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Now, 18 months on, the 58-year-old was on cloud nine as he saw his beloved Clydebank Football Club lift the West of Scotland Premier Division cup at Holm Park on Saturday. This was something Stephen said he wasn't sure he would see. (Image: Stephen Maxwell) Stephen also revealed that despite his diagnosis and undergoing treatment, he never missed a single Bankies game in the past year. He said: 'It's the only thing I haven't missed out on. I've gone to every game because it's only down the road from me. 'We won the league this year for the first time in 21 years. It was brilliant. That was my Saturday outing, down to watch the Bankies. 'At the beginning of the season, we started off good, but I thought 'I'm not going to be here at the end'. 'I made it and it was absolutely amazing. I got the match ball signed from the first game between Drumchapel and Clydebank in the league.' The Duntocher resident explained how he discovered that he had skin cancer. In 2021, Stephen went to the doctors after his mum found a lump which looked a bit like a mole on his back. The Bankies fan was told that it was benign however, the lump grew over the next two and a half years, eventually bursting and forcing Stephen to have it checked again. Shortly after arriving at his GP, he was rushed to West Glasgow Ambulatory Care Hospital at Yorkhill before undergoing immediate surgery to remove the tumour, which was said to be 'the size of his fist'. (Image: Stephen Maxwell) READ NEXT: Calls to stop 'death and suffering of birds' at Glasgow depot Stephen said: 'I was sent to a specialist in Glasgow in 2021, and he took one look at it and said, 'it's benign, it'll fall off'. 'I left it at that, but as time went on, it got bigger and bigger and burst a couple of times. The very last time it burst, I had to phone my brother to come down. 'I was sent to the hospital at Yorkhill, and the doctor immediately phoned the surgeon. It took two and a half hours. 'The tumour was the size of my hand and I thought 'my god this is worse than I thought'. "They only took the tumour out, the cancer was still there, and I needed more operations. 'I underwent immunotherapy, and within three months, I was told it had not worked and it had spread to my bones. 'I was basically put out to pasture. I was told I had six to twelve months to live, it was devastating. 'It just knocked me off my feet.' After this appointment, Stephen said he began to 'sort out his affairs'. However, he would get a phone call in Spring 2024 from a doctor at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre that would change his life. (Image: Stephen Maxwell) READ NEXT: Plans lodged to turn Glasgow offices into social rent home Stephen added: 'I came home and got my affairs in order. That was it, and I just lay in my bed. Then I got a call from Doctor Tan at the Beatson. 'She said I'd been accepted for this new trial, would I like to come the next day and get the medication? 'I thought, 'brilliant, of course I will'. I had been booked to go into a hospice just days later. "After getting the stuff, I went to my bed and I literally bounced out of bed in the morning. 'I was put on a drug called Opdualag as well as steroids, and I just had the best six months of my life after that. 'I did everything I wanted to do. I had a great summer, and in the winter I said cheerio to all my friends at the clubs I go to. 'I thought that was me, this was it. That was when they'd said I was going to die, but then I didn't die. I'm still on steroids now, and I've started to go back to some of my wee clubs. 'I was the first person in Scotland to be put on that trial, and the greatest thing about it was that most people were only getting three or four months before they had to come off it, whereas I got eight months. 'I can't complain. The cancer is still in my bones but hasn't spread anywhere else.' Melanoma Focus, a charity that funds research into treatments and causes of the illness, say that the rates of this form of skin cancer are climbing in the UK, with around 17,500 new cases every year. Melanoma is considered the most serious form of skin cancer as it reportedly has the highest mortality rate. For further information, visit the charity's website HERE.
