'Skin cancer stopped me in my tracks but new vaccine drive is a beacon of hope'

A health minister who battled skin cancer has said the vaccine trial announced today is a "beacon of hope" for people like her.

Karin Smyth told The her diagnosis in 2023 "really stopped me in my tracks" - and said a new innovation will affect thousands each year. People with advanced conditions will be fast-tracked into trials of the new melanoma injection, known as iSCIB1+ (Immunobody). has hailed the breakthrough, saying the innovation is "nothing short of lifesaving".

Ms Smyth, who had an operation to remove a melanoma lump on her leg in 2023, said: “Receiving my diagnosis for skin cancer really stopped me in my tracks. As someone who has faced the fear and uncertainty of a skin cancer diagnosis, I know how significant today's announcement is.

"This isn't just another clinical trial – it's a beacon of hope for patients facing advanced melanoma and a testament to our commitment to harness the most innovative treatments in our fight against cancer."

The first skin cancer patients are expected to be referred next month after the NHS partnered with UK life sciences firm Scancell to widen access. Around 17,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year, and around 2,300 die from the disease.

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Ms Smyth described the partnership with UK life sciences firm Scancell as "healthcare innovation at its best". She said: “This government is going to transform cancer care, catapulting it into the modern day and making it fit for purpose."

The Health Minister pointed to Labour's National Cancer Plan, which she said would lead to vast improvements in referral and diagnosis to treatment and aftercare. This is just the start," she said. "The Plan for Change will put the NHS at the forefront of medical innovation."

The MP urged people to get moles or new growths checked out. She previously said that although she had never been a "sun worshipper", she was encouraged to seek help after an oncologist at a Parliamentary event contacted her worried about a lump on her face.

Although that turned out not to be cancerous, Ms Smyth was diagnosed with melanoma for the growth on her leg. This was removed in November 2023, and she is now in recovery.

NHS national cancer director, Professor Peter Johnson, said: "Skin cancer can have a devastating impact and we know that cancer vaccines have the potential to revolutionise cancer care for patients in this country and across the - and to save more lives.

"It's incredibly exciting that the NHS is expanding its world-leading programme so more patients with different types of cancer could benefit from the development of new vaccines that could stop their cancer coming back."

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