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Rick Freedman’s Melanoma Story – The Institute of Cancer Research

The Institute of Cancer Research/LinkedIn

Aug 13, 2025, 08:38

Rick Freedman’s Melanoma Story – The Institute of Cancer Research

The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) shared a post on LinkedIn:

“‘The more tools we have to tackle melanoma, the better’

Rick Freedman, 50, Head of Research Finance at the ICR, was diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer, in 2011. Following surgery, he is now cancer-free.

Rick has worked at the ICR since 2018 and feels a direct connection to his work. Having lost both his parents to cancer, seen countless other relatives touched by it, and had his own experience, he is comforted by the fact that he can make a contribution to our breakthroughs in cancer research.

He says his personal experience makes our summer appeal, which highlights the vital work our scientists are doing to outsmart melanoma, especially meaningful to him.

‘It is important to recognise not just the work that we do in cancer prevention and treatment, but also what we are doing to develop better tools for diagnosis too.

I understood, when I heard my confirmed diagnosis of melanoma, that I had cancer. It was a shock. From a mental health point of view, I preferred to refer to it as ‘melanoma’, not ‘cancer’. Using the C-word took my mind to certain places and I found it more manageable to label my disease as melanoma, which to me sounded like something more treatable.

Melanoma can affect anybody. Every time any of us goes outside, random mutations can put our skin at risk, no matter how careful we are. The more tools and the more knowledge we have to tackle this type of cancer, the better.’

Our research is helping more people like Rick survive melanoma. A regular gift will help our scientists discover the next generation of smarter, targeted treatments, so please donate today.

Read Rick’s full story here.”

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