Check it out to beat cancer
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ARUNCORN primary school teacher who was diagnosed with a dangerous form of skin cancer three years ago has backed a regional awareness campaign.
Cathryn Harrison, who teaches at St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School, visited her GP in 2014 after her eldest daughter Georgia, 18, urged her to have a mole that had appeared on her right hip in a short space of time checked out.
A biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of malignant melanoma and further tests revealed the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes in her groin area.
Cathryn underwent successful surgery to remove the cancerous cells, but still has to undergo regular check-ups to monitor moles that appear on her body.
To date she has had nine moles removed as a precaution.
The mum of two is now supporting North West Cancer Research’s #suncreamselfie skin cancer aware- ness campaign, which is encouraging all to use sun protection and check their skin regularly for any unusual moles.
The charity said latest statistics showed that in 2015 there were 15,906 cases of melanoma skin cancer and UK incidence rates are projected to rise by 7% by 2035.
It said that survey data found that 90% of North West residents do not know the early warning signs of the disease and one in three have never checked their moles.
Symptoms can include a misshapen or uneven appearance, a blurred edge, having a mixture of shades or rapid darkening, being bigger than 6mm in diameter, and changing shape or becoming raised above the skin’s surface.
Cathryn said: “Since being a child, my mum has always instilled the important of using proper sun protection and that has passed down with me to my own children.
“There’s never been a day on the beach when we haven’t all been smothered in factor 50 SPF (sun protection factor).
“When Georgia first started mentioning to me about getting my mole checked out, the fact it could be skin cancer didn’t event enter my mind – I’ve always taken such good care of my skin, even my daily moisturiser has sun protection in.
“I was stunned when the doctor said it was skin cancer and that it had spread. Nothing can prepare you for that news.
“Thankfully though, thanks to Georgia’s persistence I was diagnosed early enough to get effective treatment.”
Cathryn added: “I hope my story is an example of how important it is to check your moles and visit your GP as soon as you notice anything unusual.
“By backing North West Cancer Research’s #suncreamselfie campaign, I hope to encourage more people to apply sun cream when out in the sun and raise awareness of the tell-tale signs of skin cancer.”