Welcome to the website of MASScot

Melanoma Action and Support Scotland (MASScot) was Scotland’s first skin cancer-specific charity.

Formed in 2003, under the leadership of Prof Rona MacKie CBE, MASScot supports people who have been diagnosed with Melanoma and other skin cancers. We provide psychological support from others with or who have recovered from the disease, plus counselling, hypnotherapy and other relaxation therapy services from qualified, experienced and insured therapists for skin cancer patients their families and carers. The costs are covered by MASScot from donated funds.

Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer amongst all age groups in Scotland. When considering those aged15 to 34, it is the most common cancer. As a result, since 2013 we have provided an educational resource in schools to warn young people of the dangers of over exposure to the sun. Find out more about that here

Basal Cell skin cancer is the most common of all cancers in Scotland. 


Support

Phone:07738231260 – or Email: leigh@masscot.org.uk

This support line is available 8 am-11 pm, every day including public holidays. If there is no answer instantly please leave a message with your phone number, your name and if possible a good time to return your call. We appreciate the need for confidentiality. If when we return your call you do not have privacy, simply say “I cannot deal with this just now and will call you later”  we will understand.

Outwith these times, please leave a text message/voicemail or email to the above address and we will get back to you as soon as possible.


Donations

Join us in the fight against melanoma!  MASScot seeks your support through JustGiving. Your generous donations empower us to raise awareness, fund research, and save lives. Together, we can make a difference.

Ensuring maximum impact, we allocate funds primarily to patient support. Our qualified therapists, recommended by senior hospice staff, work on a per-session basis. With no full-time paid staff, our committed CEO and administrative assistant go above and beyond, volunteering at fundraising activities alongside Trustees, most of whom have a personal connection to skin cancer

You can also support us through our CAF Donate page, where donations can be conveniently gift-aided. Your generosity fuels our mission. Thank you for making a difference!”

Go to https://www.cafonline.org/system/charity-search-results and search for MASScot

Or you can pay directly into our account with the Charities Aid Foundation Bank. Sadly this takes 30 days to be added to our account but this bank allows us to have a minimum of two of three Trustees to make any payment. For good governance we consider this important.  

About Melanoma

 There are two main categories of skin cancer. Non melanoma skin cancer, which includes basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer and other rare types, and melanoma skin cancer.  Melanoma  starts in cells in the skin called melanocytes.

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun and from sunbed use is thought to cause most melanomas. Long-term over-exposure to UV here in Scotland is thought the be the cause of non melanoma skin cancers. As a result, we have in excess of 10,000 new people per year being diagnosed so golfers, fishermen and all outdoor sports types beware. If you are an outdoor worker then your employer has a responsibility to provide protection.

The first sign of melanoma is often a new ‘mole’ or a change in the appearance of an existing one. This can happen anywhere on the body, but the most commonly affected areas are the back in men and the legs in women.

If caught early, melanoma can usually be treated with surgery. If it has spread, treatment may involve mediation, such as targeted or immunotherapy.  This can be oral or intravenous and is given at an outpatient clinic. 


Charity Administration

Address: MASScot – c/o SMITH 17 Cairnhill Road Bearsden Glasgow G61 1 AU

Office: The office is closed due to the pandemic and we are working at home. 

Email: admin@masscot.org.uk