'Get skin checked' says MP after cancer diagnosis

An MP who had skin cancer is advocating for early diagnosis by making others aware of the signs and symptoms.

Karin Smyth, Labour MP for Bristol South, urged others to get their skin checked if they notice a new mole or growth, or if an existing one changes shape, bleeds or itches.

Following surgery, Ms Smyth is now in recovery and doing well.

"People are busy, you think you're a burden, you think it's only a small lump," she said. "But get it seen to! It could be really serious."

It is the first time Ms Smyth has spoken out about her melanoma diagnosis.

The MP said she spotted a growth on her lower leg in 2023 that turned out to be cancerous after a doctor alerted her to a growth on her face.

"I was at an event in parliament around International Women's Day," explained Ms Smyth.

"Afterwards, one of the consultant oncologists who had been at that event wrote to me in parliament to say 'nice to meet you, I hope you don't mind, but I noticed on your face a small lump'."

This lump turned out not to be cancerous but the growth on her leg was diagnosed as melanoma, and was removed in November 2023.

Ms Smyth said that skin cancer had been on her radar due to a previous diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer that is usually less serious than melanoma, in addition to a family history of skin conditions.

But she said she initially dismissed the possibility of another diagnosis because she had never been a "sun worshipper".

Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol, she said: "We've all seen this – it was a mole that did change shape but I still didn't see it quickly.

"It was really only because it was an inconvenience and it got cut a couple of times. It never crossed my mind that it was really serious."

Since then, she has been urging others to get their skin checked.

However, Ms Smyth added that "prevention is better than cure" – covering up or wearing sunscreen.

According to Cancer Research UK, too much UV radiation can damage the DNA in skin cells, which over time can cause the cells to grow out of control.

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