Key Highlights :
When Luke Thomas was 27, he was diagnosed with stage one melanoma. It was a black mole that had changed shape and colour, located on his back. After having it surgically removed, he thought he was in the clear. But several years later, he found another mole, this time a biopsy showed it had spread to his lymphatic system and he was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma.
At the time, it felt like a death sentence. He was given immunotherapy then put on a targeted treatment that had a shelf life of 12 to 14 months. That was three years ago, and Luke is still here, outliving his prognosis and “living his best life.”
Luke is responding really well to treatment and is combining it with a healthy high fibre diet to keep his immune system strong. Despite living with the uncertainty that one day he may stop responding to treatment, and his cancer could return, Luke is determined to make the most of his life.
He is sharing his story to raise awareness of skin cancer and is backing a campaign from Melanoma Focus to cut the VAT on sun screen, to make it more affordable. He is also encouraging others to use sunscreen, as he wasn’t aware of the dangers in his 20s.
In the years since his diagnosis, Luke has taken time away from his job as an architect to travel with his boyfriend, as well as renovate his home in Kidwelly, which won BBC Wales' home of the year in 2022.
In 2021, Luke completed the monumental task of walking Wales' coastal path, and raised £60,000 for Melanoma Focus in doing so. To commemorate three years of his treatment, he is going to complete the "full circle" and walk the Offa's Dyke Path between England and Wales, starting on June 12.
Luke Thomas’ story is a testament to the power of effective treatment and the importance of raising awareness about skin cancer. It is a reminder of the importance of staying positive and living life to the fullest, no matter the circumstances.