A Slane man is encouraging people to get any skin changes of concern checked, after his own experience of being diagnosed with a malignant melanoma. Stephen Gray, 48, was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2023. The previous year, he noticed a mole that began to grow out of his back near where a horsefly had bitten him. The father-of-six was initially unconcerned, until the mole started seeping and bleeding. At this point, he decided to go to his doctor.
Stephen got the mole removed, and tests on it revealed that it was cancerous. Skin cancer survivor Stephen Gray said: “I wouldn’t have been the type to go to the doctor, I only went because the lumpy mole started seeping and bleeding. It looked like a nipple coming out of my back.
“They removed the mole, and they found that it was a malignant melanoma. I was shocked to be told that, I wasn’t really expecting anything to come from the lump – when you get something removed, you think that’s it, once it’s gone. “When I got the news, I was on my own. So, I went home and told my wife and kids. It didn’t sink in for me, at the beginning. It felt surreal.
“But when it hit me, I had so many thoughts running through my head, like what will happen? How far has the cancer gone?”
Stephen went back to hospital in January 2024, where a deeper and wider incision was carried out on the part of his back where the mole had been. Doctors found that the cancer had spread slightly to Stephen’s lymph nodes. He underwent immunotherapy and took part in a blind clinical trial and finished treatment in February this year.
The father of six, Stephen Gray, whose advice to anyone with doubt on skin changes is to get them checked.
Stephen’s treatment was successful, and he’s sharing his experience to highlight the importance of being Skin Smart and getting any skin changes of concern checked. Reflecting on his cancer journey, Stephen said: “It’s so easy to dismiss something like a mole coming out of your back, but it’s so important to get any concerning skin changes checked.
“Luckily, I’m doing well now. I still go for scans and blood tests. Thankfully, all of my scans have been coming back clear.
“I always wear plenty of sunscreen now, definitely a lot more now compared to before I was diagnosed. I also wear hats and seek shade when it’s sunny, because I know how important it is to protect your skin. “I’m just so glad that I got the mole checked when I did, and that the cancer was caught before it had a chance to spread even further.”
Kevin O’Hagan, Cancer Prevention Manager at the Irish Cancer Society, said: “As Stephen’s powerful story shows, it’s so important to go to your GP if you notice any skin changes. These can be a new or changing mole, a flat red spot, a firm red lump, an ulcer or spot that is tender to the touch or rough scaly patches.
“Early detection is vital – the sooner skin cancer is diagnosed, the more treatment options there are and the better the chance of cure. We want to ensure that the public are aware of the signs and symptoms of skin cancer and take action by contacting their GP if they notice any symptoms or have any concerns.”
Anyone with questions or concerns about skin cancer, can contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 or supportline@irishcancer.ie
