A grandmother from Sale has become the first person to receive radiotherapy as part of a new national clinical study at The Christie in Manchester.
The study, called SCC-AFTER, is investigating whether adding radiotherapy after surgery can reduce the risk of high-risk squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) returning. SCC is the second most common form of non-melanoma skin cancer, with at least 50,000 cases diagnosed in the UK every year, and numbers are rising by 5% annually.
The study is co-led by Professor Agata Rembielak at The Christie and Professor Catherine Harwood at Barts Health NHS Trust in London.
Professor Rembielak said: “We are delighted to have recruited our first patient, Pauline, to SCC-AFTER here at The Christie. This is an important trial which will provide vital evidence as to whether radiotherapy should be used after surgery to reduce the chances of skin cancer returning.
“Current practice is inconsistent. Some patients are offered radiotherapy, while others are monitored closely. By comparing these two approaches in a structured study, we can gather the evidence we need to guide treatment in the future.”
Pauline Short, 76, lives with her husband and has five children and six grandchildren. She first noticed a small growth on her arm last year. It became painful, and her husband urged her to see a dermatologist just before Christmas 2024.
She had surgery to remove the lump in January 2025. Tests confirmed it was SCC. The surgeon referred her to The Christie to see if she could join a clinical study that might offer radiotherapy after surgery.
“You never think it is going to happen to you,” Pauline said. “I had never been one to lie out in the sun and didn’t go on hot summer holidays.”
In March, Pauline was accepted onto the SCC-AFTER trial. “It was a relief when I found out I was eligible to join the trial,” she said. “I was very pleased to have that opportunity, for myself, my family, and to help others.”
Pauline received ten sessions of radiotherapy in April and May. She described the treatment as “straightforward, causing only minor skin irritation.”
She praised her care at The Christie: “The staff were very kind, well organised and thorough,” she said. “The trials team talked me through everything and answered all my questions before we started, which put my mind at ease. My specialist nurse was very attentive, with regular telephone calls to check how I was.”
Three months later, she is recovering well. “It’s very reassuring that I will be followed up regularly for the next three years,” she said.
“Participating in research feels like the right thing to do,” she added. “Although I was allocated to the radiotherapy part of the trial, I would have been totally comfortable in the close follow-up group, as studies like this are the best way for researchers to understand the most effective ways to treat cancer.”
The experience has made her more sun-aware. She now uses factor 50 sun protection and wears a hat in the garden. Pauline, who enjoys gardening and crosswords, is looking forward to a family holiday at Center Parcs in October.
