New album for artist who received cancer vaccine

One of the first people to receive a skin cancer vaccine has spoken about how releasing an album helped him focus on things other than his treatment.

Songwriter and music teacher Steve Young of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, made global news as one of the first people to be given a cancer vaccine in April 2024.

Mr Young, who was diagnosed with melanoma in September 2023, will perform in Camden, north London, to launch his new album "Famous For A Day".

He said: "The whole process really helped me focus on things other than my treatment and the side effects."

Mr Young took part in the first personalised trial of the mRNA vaccine for melanoma - the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

He was invited to meet King Charles III on his visit to University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust last April.

Reflecting on his treatment, he said: "I had to develop a very strict aftercare routine to make sure I was in the best possible shape to keep working.

"The trial jabs were every three weeks so it meant two good weeks and one week of hell."

Last month, a concert raised £5,000 for the Macmillan Cancer Support Fund and the cancer fund at University College London Hospital (UCLH), where he was treated.

He recently organised Up Yours Cancer! with a line-up including 1980s star Nik Kershaw at the Corn Exchange in Hertford.

He said: "I set myself a very challenging deadline and with the help of London music agency Talentbanq we booked the launch date to coincide with the end of my treatment."

The album is expected to be out on 6 March on vinyl and CD, alongside a live concert at Camden's The Fiddlers Elbow.

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