A campaign led by an Isle of Wight family to assist early diagnosis of skin cancer has been highlighted in a parliamentary debate led by MP Bob Seely.
The campaign, known as ‘Zoe’s Law’, aims to change NHS medical practices to ensure all moles removed at private clinics are tested for melanoma. It was started following the death of Islander Zoe Panayi to skin cancer in May 2020.
Zoe’s mother, Eileen Punter, recently updated Bob on progress with the campaign and following that conversation Bob initiated a parliamentary debate to raise awareness in Government.
During the debate, Bob suggested to Health Minister, Helen Whately, that the Government could initiate a pilot scheme to test all moles and skin tags removed from the body for melanoma.
He said: “The idea of testing all removed moles and skin tags is potentially very popular, and a petition started by [Zoe’s] family has now reached some 35,000 signatures.”
The Island’s MP said he would like to know what more could be done in the future because, “thousands of people are needlessly dying every year.”
He urged the Minister to respond to him in writing setting out further plans on raising awareness of moles and suggested more could be done through education and training.
“I ask the Minister to respond not only on the issue of testing for melanomas but on broader education for GPs, hairdressers, dentists and nurses, so that they are better able to spot cancerous moles before they spread.”
Bob also paid tribute to Zoe’s family, particularly her mum Eileen Punter, highlighting the great work they had been doing to lead the campaign.
Mr Seely said malignant melanoma was the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK and of the (approx.) 16,700 cases diagnosed every year, about 2,300 people died from this disease.
In concluding the debate, the Minister also paid tribute to Zoe’s family. She said: “Like Zoe’s family, as cancer Minister I want to stop people going through what they have been through. I want us to get better at preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer. Although we cannot remove the risk of skin cancer in its entirety, we can raise awareness of the things that increase the risk and help people take steps to protect themselves.”
She highlighted that teledermatology – the use of digital images to check for signs of cancer - is now offered by all GPs on the Isle of Wight and is increasingly available across the NHS.
Responding to Mr Seely’s specific requests she said: “I can assure him that I will take his argument away, look into it and then write to him with a full response on his proposal.”
She added: “We should in no way limit our sights as to what can be achieved in the here and now. The crucial thing here and now is early diagnosis, which much improves the prospects for successful treatment. Zoe’s family wants those who do have cancer to get an early diagnosis so that they have the chance to survive and live their lives as, sadly, Zoe did not. That is something that I want, too. I want fewer people to get cancer, those who do have cancer to be diagnosed earlier, and, in turn, to be treated successfully so that they can live their lives to the full.”
Speaking after the debate Mr Seely said: “I felt it was important to raise this important issue in Parliament for Zoe and for her family.
“Skin cancer can be deadly, but in many cases, it need not be if it is diagnosed early enough. I am keen to help support the campaign where I can. I hope that initiating this debate starts a serious conversation about how we move forward in earlier detection of this form of cancer.”
