Steve’s clinical trials crusade for Gippsland

“I’m pretty fair-skinned, and stay out of the sun, so, I thought, I had no reason to get a skin cancer check. I only did it to complete the process for a new job,” Stephen said. After surgery to remove the melanoma, specialists recommended he go on a clinical trial at The Alfred as an additional treatment option. 

“At the time, I had followed Jarryd Roughead’s (former AFL player) clinical trial experience so it actually inspired me to give it a go. I’m not really sure I would’ve known what a clinical trial was had I not known his story,” Stephen said.

For 12 months, the busy Business Development Manager was commuting into Melbourne one day a week while continuing to work full-time. 

“On a good day, it was a six hour round trip with one to three-hour appointments - throw in an accident or bad weather and my day could be a 15-hour trip. Thankfully, my employer fully supported me and my treatment, but I know not everyone is fortunate to be in this position,” he said. 

Unfortunately, the cancer would return two more times, which resulted in two more surgeries and two more clinical trials. It was the third round that has proved most successful in preventing the cancer from coming back.

“I’ve now been clear for about 18 months, I don’t know what the future holds, or whether it will come back, but for now I’m happy to report it’s gone. I think most people think melanoma can simply be fixed by surgery and chemo and that’s it, but it was actually the combination of surgery and a clinical trial that worked for me,” he said. 

Stephen has since welcomed a baby boy, Luca, and is now on a mission to champion clinical trials to his community in Gippsland.