Back in 2007 I was diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma. I had a small, painless, black mole on the side of my neck and like most Irish males, I tried to ignore it. It was only after a lot of prodding from close friends and family that I actually did something about it.
Two operations and biopsies later, I realised that I had dodged the bullet. The melanoma had not spread to my lymph nodes. After multiple trips to the consultants in the intervening years, I have had no re-occurrances, either primary or secondary.
Because of our skin type, Irish and British people are among the most susceptible to melanoma in the world. It is one of the leading killers of people under the age of 30. The incidence of melanoma is increasing worldwide and if it is not caught early, your survival chances are minimal.
This Canadian public announcement tells you all you need to know. Check your moles, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, don’t wait to seek help if you notice something abnormal.
Passive Impressions 
God, that’s a great little film. I’m fair-skinned and have had several bad sunburns in my life when I was young (not before I was 16 though, thankfully) plus have loads of moles, so I get them checked regularly. Which is easy to do here, with skin cancer clinics on every street corner.
Very glad to hear that you caught yours early and are all clear. 🙂
I had some pretty intense sunburns when I was a kid. The awareness just wasn’t there. I am quite adamant about my children avoiding prolonged sun exposure. It’s just not worth it.
Incidentally, that’s one of the joys of going to sports meetings here in Ireland. Inevitably there are parents there who haven’t the slightest interest in putting suncream on their small kids, no matter how strong the sun is that day. Makes you want to scream.
Glad to hear that Colm.
All the best.
That’s a great video. Glad you’re doing so well, Colm.