A Middleton man has become one of the first patients in the country to benefit from a groundbreaking cardiac devices service at The Christie, allowing him to safely undergo life-saving cancer treatment.
Stephen Dunn, 72, from Middleton, was diagnosed with melanoma last year after his wife Kay noticed changes in a mole on his back. But his treatment was complicated by a pacemaker, fitted in 2022 after heart failure was discovered during a routine HGV licence check.
Pacemakers and defibrillators can interfere with some cancer procedures and imaging scans, often forcing patients to face delays or receive treatment at different sites.
The Christie’s dedicated cardiac devices service, launched in September 2023 at its Withington site, enabled Stephen to undergo surgery without disruption. Specialist physiologists deactivated and reprogrammed his pacemaker during the operation, ensuring his safety.
Stephen said: “The cardiac devices team were very calm and reassuring. They explained everything, which gave me the confidence to trust that they understood my heart condition as well as being a cancer patient.”
The operation was successful, and Stephen has since been told he does not currently need further treatment. “I’m living with the mindset that for now, I’m cancer free,” he added.
Over its first year, the new service has supported more than 180 patients, including 57 undergoing MRI scans, 40 receiving radiotherapy, and 21 who required surgery. It also oversaw the UK’s first case of a pacemaker patient receiving proton beam therapy.
That milestone came earlier this year, when 70-year-old David Iddiols from London became the first in the UK to undergo proton therapy with a pacemaker in place. His treatment required daily adjustments of his device to keep his heart stable.
Janet Kipping, a cardiac physiologist at The Christie, said: “Support for patients with cardiac devices used to be inconsistent and could result in delays or impaired outcomes. Now, they receive expert support here in Withington, significantly improving their experience and safety.”
The Christie worked with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust to establish the service, which is expected to grow as more patients live longer with cardiac devices while facing cancer diagnoses.
Stephen, a Manchester United supporter with two daughters, said he and his wife Kay were grateful for the speed and compassion of his care. “Every department shared results quickly and effectively. At the most stressful of times, the situation was explained with empathy. I felt confident the whole team were doing their utmost to keep me alive and well.”
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