A Belfast man, who was diagnosed with skin cancer, is urging others to spot the warning signs early, especially any changes in the size, shape, or colour of a mole.
Connor Graham, 37 and from Four Winds, was speaking as a new mole mapping service was launched at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald.
The service is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and is a partnership between the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and Cancer Focus NI.
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The nurse-led two year pilot project will offer an advanced mole mapping technique for specific patients identified by the clinical team as being at higher risk of developing melanoma skin cancer.
Mole mapping or Automated Total Body Mapping, uses technology to detect malignant melanoma earlier when treatment is most effective.
The service team will also offer advice on skin cancer prevention and skin examination to improve screening services for specific patients.
Connor is one of the first to benefit from the new service following his skin cancer diagnosis in January 2021.
The surveyor was born with quite a few moles on his skin and as a child he was always told to take special care in the sun.
Connor also had two moles removed in his teenage years but admits that as an adult, he was pretty lackadaisical when it came to sun safety.
He has worked outdoors on construction sites for many years, which also increased his exposure to the sun and its harmful rays.
"I have always been aware of the importance of looking after my skin and trying to assess any mole changes myself as best I can," Connor told Belfast Live.
"In the summer of 2020, I saw some big changes on my arms, back and sides in terms of the colour, shape, itchiness and diameter of the moles.
"Those changes made me very fearful and determined to get some answers. Anything I had ever been taught was very much about the importance of getting an appointment with your GP, who will then refer you to a dermatologist."
Referral to the mole mapping service is by a Consultant Dermatologist and only within the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust.
"I have been attending the dermatology ward here at the Ulster Hospital for well over a year now on a three month basis and to me it has been very beneficial," Connor explained.
"I was asked to be a candidate for the mole mapping service and I've been blown away by its benefits. For me, to have this new point of reference every few months and be able to see on screen the depth of what this new machine can do has really given me reassurance for the future.
"When you've been given a skin cancer diagnosis, it really puts your mind at ease to know that it's here and I've no doubt that it will save lives."
Connor added: "Your skin is an organ and it needs protection so through my own experience now, I'm very much more aware of that.
"I've incorporated sun protection into my daily routine like wearing factor 50, taking regular breaks from exposure, covering up where possible and now promoting the message that you have to look after yourself.
"Early detection is obviously key where skin cancer is concerned so I would urge people to please constantly assess their skin at least once a month for any changes, redness or asymmetrical moles.
"You know your own body so please push for that GP referral because ultimately it saved my life and could do the same for anyone."
Skin cancer in Northern Ireland is increasing with approximately 400 people diagnosed with malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, each year.
Richard Spratt, Chief Executive of Cancer Focus NI said: “We know the importance of early detection and cancer prevention having been passionately committed to raising skin cancer awareness for many years.
“We believe this technology has the capacity to detect skin cancer at the earliest possible opportunity and potentially reduce the number of biopsies needed, ultimately resulting in better outcomes for patients in Northern Ireland.”
Launching the new service, Health Minister Robin Swann said it “represents a significant step forward in the early diagnosis and treatment of melanoma skin cancer ” which “will undoubtedly help to improve patient outcomes”.
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