A MUM with a mystery skin cancer that spread to her brain and neck has finished ground-breaking treatment on a clinical research trial at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

Ann Johnston was diagnosed with melanoma, a form of skin cancer, in 2018 after she went to see her GP with what she thought was a pulled muscle in her groin, but was told it was cancer.

However, the site of the skin cancer on her body could not be tracked by doctors but as it had already moved to her lymph nodes, she was told there was a high chance it had already spread further.

After surgery to remove some of her lymph nodes, Ann was told the devastating news that melanoma had been discovered in her brain. She was given radiotherapy, and then underwent surgery followed by immunotherapy.

Despite the intensive treatment, the cancer later came back in her neck.

Chester and District Standard: Ann with her daughter Rebecca and granddaughter IslaAnn with her daughter Rebecca and granddaughter Isla (Image: The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre)

As the cancer was spreading, Ann, from Liverpool, was offered the chance to have a pioneering treatment called oncolytic virotherapy as part of an early stage clinical research trial at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

This treatment uses a virus – injected into the cancer lesions – that has been altered to make it specifically attack the cancer cells and also to train the body’s own immune system to fight the cancer.

After two years of therapy with injections every two weeks Ann finished her treatment by ringing the end of treatment bell at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

Ann, who is mum to daughter Rebecca and a grandmother of 10-month-old Isla, said: “The past four years have been a rollercoaster for me and my family. My cancer diagnosis came totally out of the blue – it was a real shock. I was feeling perfectly well and I just thought I had pulled something when I had the pain in my groin.

“I’m really pleased I went to get it checked out when I did – I hate to think what would have happened if I had left it longer. They could not find the origin of the cancer – they think it may have been a mole that had died off.

“I was pleased to be offered the chance to go on a clinical trial. I’m an optimistic person and I know new treatments for cancer are being found and tested all the time.”

“The melanoma in my neck has been shrinking and it is now seems stable. Hopefully, it will not flare up. I’ve stayed positive and have been helped by my fantastic family and work colleagues.”