A father-of-one with stage 3 melanoma has thanked a hospital for its groundbreaking research into immunotherapy treatment.

Rob Henderson was diagnosed with melanoma in March 2017 after noticing a lump on the back of his head and a couple on his neck.

The 40-year-old underwent surgery on his head and neck at the Royal United Hospital in Bath and was told that he would also need radiotherapy, which would involve substantial side-effects.

Before going ahead with the treatment plan, Rob sought a second opinion from The Royal Marsden Hospital in London, where pioneering research has been taking place into immunotherapy treatment for melanoma patients. Immunotherapy boosts the body's own immune system to help fight cancer.

Specialists from The Royal Marsden teamed up with doctors from the RUH to discuss the best treatment option, deciding against radiotherapy and instead choosing to give Rob immunotherapy treatment – a combination of the drugs nivolumab and ipilimumab.

“It's been a heck of a journey and one that just sprung from nowhere and caught us all off-guard,” says Rob, from Bradford on Avon.

“Whilst my treatment has not been at The Royal Marsden, the consultation and support from them at a very critical time was amazing.

“Their positivity and excitement about the new treatments available gave us a huge boost and, whilst we were still under no illusions about the severity of my diagnosis, it did help us to see a chink of light.

“I also know that it is in no small part because of trials and research at The Royal Marsden in immunotherapy treatments of melanoma that I am currently able to have this treatment on home turf under the NHS.”

Now Rob’s brother, Neil, together with his friend Paul Ashman, is raising money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity by taking on a mammoth cycle challenge - riding 600 miles from London to Paris and back again over four days.

"I may not be able to help directly in the treatment of Rob’s cancer, but I can ride a bike quite well, as can Paul,” says 41-year-old Neil, from Worcester Park in Surrey.

“We decided to use a trip we were planning to Paris to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity because it’s very influential in the type of cancer that is affecting Rob. We hope that the research they are doing into melanoma will treat this awful disease and put Rob and many others well and truly onto a road to recovery.”

The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity raises money to support The Royal Marsden, a world-leading cancer treatment centre. They ensure their nurses, doctors and research teams can provide the very best care and develop life-saving treatments, which are used across the UK and around the world.

So far, Neil and Paul have raised more than £2,200 for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. To support the duo, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/londontoparisandback17