Man needed 36 staples and six stitches after small mole diagnosed as skin cancer

  • Hannah Ludlow spoke to former politician Andrew Lewis about his experience of skin cancer treatment.

A man who needed 36 staples and six stitches in his back after an abnormal mole turned out to be skin cancer is urging others to get themselves checked out.

Former Jersey politician Andrew Lewis says he is lucky that the melanoma was treatable and he has since become more aware of the importance of sunscreen.

He said: "The end result in my case was a happy one, unfortunately for other people, it's not quite so easy.

"The earlier you can get these things, the better. Or even better don't get them in the first place by putting lots of Factor 50 on."

Cases of skin cancer in the UK have reached a record high across all age groups and in the Channel Islands, the proportion of people diagnosed is among the highest worldwide.

Jersey Consultant Dermatologist Dr Anna Kukula says it is an increasing problem with a thinning ozone layer letting through more harmful UV rays, an ageing population and islanders' way of life making them more susceptible.

She believes key areas of the body are often missed when applying suncream - including the lips, ears and eyelids.

Dr Kukula says a teaspoon-size amount of sun protection should be applied to the face and a golf-ball size to the body daily, even if it is cloudy.

It should be reapplied every two hours, or more often if the suncream has washed off due to swimming or sweating.

She added: "We have approximately 80 invasive melanomas per year, per 100,000 population.

"People enjoy an outdoor lifestyle and unfortunately, the message about sunscreen is not always absorbed and taken in."

The free suncream dispensers can be found across Jersey, including at St Brelade's Bay and Greve de Lecq. Credit: ITV Channel

That is one of the reasons why the cancer charity Macmillan has set up 12 free suncream dispensers across Jersey.

They were funded through the Donna Annand skin cancer charity which stopped running last year and was set up in memory of Donna, who died from the disease in 2011.

It is hoped the initiative will raise awareness about the importance of wearing suncream and improve access for those who may not be able to afford it or forget to bring it on a day out.

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