A nurse is using his own experiences of being diagnosed with skin cancer to launch an appeal to ensure others get symptoms checked out as soon as possible.
Father and grandfather Mark Le Sage (51) of Spalding is launching the ‘Get It Seen and Get It Sorted’ campaign alongside the doctor who led the way to the diagnosis of his melanoma, Dr Janarthanam Badu, of Beechfield Medical Centre.
Thanks to his relatively early diagnosis just before Christmas and treatment, Mark hopes to have staved off any immediate danger.
He’s now aiming to encourage others to get checked if they have worries and avoid serious illness down the line.
“I was lucky” said Mark “My cancer was small but I had seen it grow over a couple of months and I never even considered it may be a melanoma but I decided to get it checked out by my GP.
“Normally men are rubbish at going to see their doctor, in fact when I was training to be a nurse at university I wrote an essay about this phenomenon which is known as the ‘gender gap.’ Men are far more likely to miss their appointment or well man clinic leaving it until something is probably that painful or acute they go to A and E.
“Most of the time a simple early check is all that is needed, a blood test or a small biopsy. The sooner most conditions are detected the more likely there will be a better outcome.”
Changing moles as well as spots and sores that don’t heal are among the symptoms to look out for.
Mark said when he was told he had cancer last December, all he could think about was his children and whether he would be with them for Christmas.
“I had nightmares and still have difficulties sleeping because of it but at least I have a great team at the hospital caring for me and a good prognosis.
- May is Macmillan’s Skin Cancer Awareness month and the charity is sending its bus to Spalding and Holbeach this week.
Today (Thursday) the bus will be outside Boots in Hall Place, Spalding, from 9am to 4pm.
Then tomorrow it’s at the Boston Road South branch of Tesco in Holbeach from 9am to 4pm.
Staff will be able to provide free information and support to those affected by cancer.
If you need support or just want someone to talk to, call Macmillan Cancer Support free on 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk
For further information about Macmillan’s mobile information service, and planned visits, go to www.macmillan.org.uk/mobileinfo
