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Retired Kinross GP reveals how a ‘verruca’ on his heel turned out to be skin cancer

Alastair Muir didn't think the lesion on his foot looked like melanoma when he first noticed it 20 years ago.

Retired GP Alastair Muir from Kinross was diagnosed with skin cancer
Retired GP Alastair Muir from Kinross was diagnosed with skin cancer. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

When Alastair Muir was in his early 40s he noticed he had a verruca on the back of his right heel.

The GP, who lives in Kinross, was working in Glasgow at the time so he got a colleague to take a look at it.

“He thought the same as me, that it was a verruca,” he explains.

“At that point in general practice we used liquid nitrogen to freeze warts and verrucas off,” he explains.

“So he duly did that for me.

“It then disappeared for a number of years, but came back in 2018 in the same place.

“This time it was bleeding, which I thought was unusual as verrucas don’t tend to bleed.

“So I ended up being referred to a dermatologist.

“No one mentioned melanoma because it wasn’t pigmented – it was just skin-coloured.”

Alastair thought the lump on his foot was a verruca but it turned out to be skin cancer
The lesion on Alastair’s heel turned out to be skin cancer. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

Retired Kinross GP’s skin cancer diagnosis

A biopsy was taken and Alastair was shocked to discover the ‘verruca’ was actually a type of skin cancer.

He went on to have surgery to remove it.

However, two years ago the dad-of-two was dealt another blow when he started having problems with his vision.

And he ended up being diagnosed with a rare condition, melanoma associated retinopathy.

This is a type of cancer-associated retinopathy and an autoimmune condition where the body attacks the retina in the eye.

The cancer has now spread to other parts of Alastair’s body.

But the 63-year-old is determined to show that life isn’t over with stage four cancer.

He is taking part in Scottish cyclist Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4 charity cycle event on September 7 in Glasgow.

Alastair will be raising money for the Melanoma-Me Foundation.

When was retired GP Alastair diagnosed with skin cancer?

In September 2018 Alastair, who worked as a GP for 26 years, saw a dermatologist about the lesion on his heel.

“He agreed to do a biopsy but told me he didn’t think there was anything to be  concerned about,” Alastair recalls.

“Then a couple of weeks later I got a call from my GP. I’ll always remember his exact words.

“He said the results ‘weren’t what he was hoping for’.

“He went on to explain it was melanoma.”

What type of melanoma did Alastair have?

Alastair had acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM).

This is a specific type of melanoma which develops on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, or under the nails.

But unlike melanoma caused by sun exposure, ALM isn’t directly linked to sun exposure.

Alastair pictured on holiday in Sorrento, Italy, before his cancer spread.
Alastair pictured on holiday in Sorrento, Italy, before his cancer spread. Image: Alastair Muir

After he was given the diagnosis, Alastair was given an urgent appointment to have it removed.

“I was genuinely shocked that it was melanoma because I hadn’t ever thought that was a possibility.

“And then I was annoyed at myself for having done nothing about it sooner.”

Retired GP’s treatment for skin cancer

In late 2018, Alastair had surgery at Glasgow Royal Infirmary to have the melanoma removed.

“As it was in my heel and being a big wound it took several months (to heal). I also needed to use crutches.”

In 2020 the grandad-of-one moved to Kinross with his wife Moira.

Alastair with his wife Moira.
Alastair with his wife Moira. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

He continued going for check-ups every three months at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

And a further two melanomas were identified on his ankle and calf. These were also removed.

A further health blow

But in August 2023 Alastair was dealt another blow after he started having problems with his vision – including night blindness.

“I had a simmering visual disturbance involving both eyes which didn’t go away,” he says.

“So I contacted my GP and he referred me to neurology at Ninewells.

“I was admitted and they started investigations as a matter of urgency.”

After a series of tests and a consultation with an eye specialist,  Alastair was eventually diagnosed with melanoma associated retinopathy.

Melanoma associated retinopathy is an autoimmune response where antiretinal antibodies attack the eyes, which can lead to permanent blindness.

“It is a fairly rare condition and one I hadn’t heard of,” he says.

“I was told I could go blind within a matter of days.

“I was far more scared of going blind that I was of the cancer spreading. It was very scary.”

How was Alastair’s condition treated?

In November 2023 Alastair was started on plasma exchange treatment at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

This procedure involves separating the plasma (liquid part of the blood) from blood cells, removing the harmful antibodies, and returning the blood cells to the patient.

The treatment saw Alastair’s vision improve.

However, just a few months later, scans showed the cancer had spread to lymph nodes in the top of Alastair’s leg and pelvis.

He ended up having further surgeries to remove the lymph nodes.

“In September last year I had more scans done which showed the cancer had spread further to lymph nodes in my abdomen.

“I then ended up having a month’s course of radiotherapy at Ninewells, targeting my abdomen and pelvis.”

Living with stage 4 cancer

Alastair’s cancer is classed as stage four as it has spread to other parts of his body.

And he is now having immunotherapy treatment.

“I don’t expect this treatment will cure me,” he says.

“But I don’t ask how long I have got left because I don’t want to know.

“Before immunotherapy the five-year survival rate for stage four melanoma would have been in single figures.

“But with this treatment, the 10-year survival rates are between 60% and 70%. These drugs have dramatically altered the timescale.”

Family support

Alastair is thankful for the support of his wife Moira, 63 and their two children Glenn, 29, and Kate, 30.

Retired GP Alastair with wife Moira, daughter Kate and son Glenn.
Alastair with Moira, daughter Kate and son Glenn. Image: Alastair Muir

“My neighbours have just retired and they are away on their first cruise.

“And there is a little part of me that wishes I could still do that.

“I actually wish that more for my wife than myself because she has been wonderful throughout all of this,” Alastair says.

“It’s been very hard on her – probably, in some ways, harder than it has been on me.

“She has been my rock.”

Tour de 4 charity cycle

Despite his stage four cancer diagnosis, Alastair wants to show that life goes on.

To this end he has signed up for Scottish cyclist Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4 charity cycle event this September in Glasgow.

Alastair with his bike
Alastair has signed up for the Tour de 4 charity cycle event. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

The six-time Olympic champion was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer last year. He hopes the charity cycle will change perceptions around stage four cancer, as well as raising money for vital charities.

“Sir Chris Hoy is an inspiration to me and, like many people, I was shocked and moved by his diagnosis,” Alastair says.

“But I like his attitude to it – showing that people with stage four cancer are living essentially normal lives.

“It’s important to get the message out there that it is far from being a death sentence.”

Alastair will be cycling on a fixed bike in the centre of the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome for up to 20 minutes.

And in doing so he hopes to raise as much money as he can for the Melanoma-Me Foundation.

In the meantime, the retired GP wants others to learn from his experience with skin cancer.

He adds: “Not every melanoma presents the way you think it might.

“People need to be aware of anything unusual on their skin.

“So if you see anything unusual or something which changes, don’t wait – get it checked out straight away.”

Anyone wanting to make a donation can visit Alastair’s GoFundMe page.

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