Cancer patients in Scotland with stage-three melanoma will now have access to a post-surgery treatment drug.

Pembrolizumab has been approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), bringing access into line with rules in the rest of the UK.

It's been hailed as a huge boost for people in Scotland living with the most dangerous type of skin cancer, as patients currently undergo routine surveillance following surgery known as 'watch and wait'.

Support groups say that can have a huge impact on patients' mental wellbeing, leaving them without an 'active' treatment option and concerned about the risk of their cancer returning or progressing

Gill Nuttall, CEO and founder of Melanoma UK, said: "In Scotland, melanoma is fast becoming one of the most common forms of cancer, where we have seen a considerable rise in the number of diagnosed cases.

"Routine surveillance, known as 'watch and wait', can have a huge impact on patients' mental wellbeing, and can often leave them feeling left without an 'active' treatment option and concerned about the risk of their cancer returning.

"It is therefore great news that, from today, patients in Scotland benefit from this treatment option, in line with patients around the UK."

The decision coincides with Skin Cancer Awareness Month, with incidence rates in Scotland having risen 15% in ten years.

More than 1380 cases of melanoma were diagnosed in Scotland in 2016.

Dr Ashita Waterston, consultant medical oncologist at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, said: "The incidences of the disease across all stages, sadly continue to increase across Scotland.

"This decision, therefore, offers patients a treatment option in treating melanoma alongside surgery, potentially improving outcomes by reducing risk of their disease recurring."

Five years ago, Donald McLellan discovered a mole on his back after thinking he had cut himself.

After visiting his GP, he was referred to hospital where a consultant agreed that the mole did not look very good.

"Within about a week I had a biopsy taken from it and I put it out my mind, however two weeks later I was called in with the result of the biopsy and I assumed everything would be fine," Donald said.

"However the consultant told me I had an aggressive cancerous tumour on my back and they would need to take more away.

"That came as a bit of a shock, I wasn't expecting that. I was then taken into hospital where they performed a more serious operation and removed quite a sizeable area from my back."

Donald had aggressive melanoma and for years following the surgery, his was monitored regularly in hospital to check that the cancer hadn't returned or worsened.

With no drugs available post surgery, Donald had to keep checking for moles himself in order to keep an eye on his condition.

"At that time it's not something you know if there is a cure on the NHS for. It was a worrying time for me but also for my family as well."

The news that post-surgery skin cancer drug Pembrolizumab has been approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC)has been welcomed by Donald, who is delighted that the treatment has been made available in Scotland.

He says that it will bring 'peace of mind' to other people suffering with skin cancer.

"The peace of mind that would come to you as a person who is suffering from it and the family, you can't put a price on it," he says.

"That's something that should be made available, if they discovered it, or they've manufactured it then it has to be made available to people because it will be so helpful, no doubt about it."