Miriam Staunton, 53, from Dublin, was diagnosed with advanced melanoma in 2018 and has since been sharing her story to raise awareness of the importance of sun protection in Ireland
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with over 10,000 to 12,000 new cases diagnosed annually – stock photo
A skin cancer survivor is urging Irish people to avoid sun exposure during the current heatwave.
Miriam Staunton, 53, from Dublin, was diagnosed with advanced melanoma at the age of 45 in 2018.
“Although I didn’t have a skin lesion, my melanoma is likely as a result of many sunburns in childhood,” she explained.
“I have very fair skin and growing up in the 70s and 80s sunscreen was not really used and sunburns were a very common occurrence.
“Although I have been mindful of my skin since adulthood, I think a lot of damage took place in my childhood and teens. I am a triathlete and am outdoors a lot, so I make sure to cover up, wear hats and sunscreen.
“My message to those listening is to above all mind your skin – it’s the only one you have. Melanoma is life threatening, and prevention really does save lives.”
Miriam, who works as an engineer, said her initial symptom was a lump beneath her arm, which she discovered while cycling. She consulted her GP, who arranged an ultrasound and mammogram, reports RSVP Live.
Miriam Staunton
While her mammogram came back clear, she was subsequently diagnosed with skin cancer.
She underwent surgery to have all the lymph nodes removed from beneath her arm, as well as receiving radiation treatment. Sadly, a year afterwards, her cancer advanced to stage four, with metastases appearing in her liver.
Miriam began immunotherapy, followed by targeted radiation treatment on her liver. Since April 2020, she has shown no evidence of active disease.
“Never, ever use a sunbed. Get in the habit of wearing sunscreen every day, between March and October. Put it on exposed skin after you brush your teeth. Build it into your routine. The Irish sun can cause melanoma, don’t save sunscreen for foreign holidays,” Miriam said.
She urged members of the public to have any changes to their skin checked out by their GP.
People are being encouraged to follow these straightforward SunSmart five S’s this week and beyond:
Slip on clothing: Cover skin as much as possible, wear long sleeves.Slop on sunscreen: Apply a generous amount of sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30+ for adults and 50+ for children that has a high UVA protection and is water resistant. Reapply every two hours, more frequently after swimming or sweating.Slap on a wide-brimmed hat: Protect your face, ears and neck. Baseball caps do not provide enough protection.Seek shade: Especially if outdoors between 11am and 3pm – and always use a sunshade on a child’s buggy. Keep babies out of direct sunlight.Slide on sunglasses: Guard your eyes from harm by wearing sunglasses with UV protection.
The HSE also cautioned people against deliberately attempting to get a suntan. “Remember, tanned skin is damaged skin. Avoid getting a sunburn. Never use a sunbed.
“Up to 90% of UV rays can pass through cloud cover, meaning protection is essential regardless of the weather. People often rely on temperature as an indicator of risk, but UV exposure is the real danger. Even on overcast days, your skin can be damaged without proper protection.
“We sometimes think Irish sun isn’t real sun, but skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Ireland with over 11,000 cases diagnosed annually. The number of people being diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland is rising rapidly. Yet skin cancer is largely preventable by protecting skin from UV rays,” the HSE said.
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