Listening can be therapy on road to recovery

When Steven Brown was diagnosed with skin cancer in October last year, he soon realised he needed extra support to help him as he was treated for the disease.

The 40-year-old, who lives near Dundee, was shocked when he saw the diagnosis.

“I just saw a change in a mole and knew that was a sign, so I went to see my doctor to have it checked out,” he said.

Mr Brown was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma and needed surgery to remove it.

“When I was told, I didn’t think that was very good. It sounded like pretty major stuff, but I hoped it was something I would just be able to overcome,” he said.

He visited the Maggie’s Centre at Ninewells in Dundee quite early in his treatment.

“Someone suggested that I come along, basically just for a bit of support,” Mr Brown said.

“I was probably not coping with it. I just thought this is the end of the line, as soon as I heard those words. I thought that was just it.”

The mechanic received psychological support to help him face up to his treatment and diagnosis. “I went to the skin awareness group. You meet other people who have got the same thing but are at different stages of it. It was very helpful as well,” he said.

He now has to go for hospital check-ups every three months for five years. “They are keeping an eye on it, which is good,” Mr Brown added.

“I come into Maggie’s every week now to get help from the physical trainer. I have had a bit of a back problem, so she has been helping me through that. It has been really good.”

He now plans to take part in other sessions.

“The people here are very understanding. They just listen to you,” he said.

“You can come in here and speak to someone you’re not too close to and to say what you feel.”