Protect Your Skin = Protect Your Life

May is Skin Cancer Awareness month and a timely reminder to take care in the sun. I had a big wakeup call at the end of last year, when I was diagnosed with skin cancer for the second time. In January I had surgery for my second Basal Cell Carcinoma, surgery which would have been less invasive had I got myself checked earlier.

It started with a small patch of skin that was different. It wasn’t a mole like my previous skin cancer, it was more like a patch of dry skin, which healed, only to return. It was dismissed by my GP as nothing to worry about, so I put it to the back of my mind and carried on with my life. Don’t be afraid to be persistent in your quest for a diagnosis, both my skin cancers were missed by my GP, so if in doubt, go back and ask for a second opinion.

By the time I had my surgery, I was looking at the tip of the iceberg. Despite its outward appearance, the tumour was growing under my skin and was the size of a 50p piece. The surgery was complex, as it was bigger than the consultant had initially thought, and I required significant reconstruction. I’ve been left with a lifelong scar on my face, a constant reminder that I wish I’d been more vocal about my concerns.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer - but it’s also one of the most preventable. There is a lot you can do to protect your skin:

·       Wear SPF 30+ daily (yes, even in winter and even when it’s cloudy!)

·       Hats aren’t just for beach days

·       Seek shade

·       Protect your face, ears, and neck - they’re easy to forget

Also, monitor any spots or areas of skin that change, bleed, or appear different, and get your skin checked by a dermatologist at least once a year. If you are concerned about your skin, speak to your GP or get in touch with one of the many organisations who offer assistance, like the Skin Cancer Foundation who will signpost you to the most relevant help.

Your skin is your body’s largest organ, so look after it.