Skin cancer checks urged.

Speaking up and sharing your story could be the push your friend, workmate or neighbour needs to stop putting off getting a potential cancer symptom checked — it could quite literally save their life.

This article was written by Tamara Carr and published in the Midwest Times on 17 April 2019

In 2016, Geraldton mum Tegan Booysen noticed an odd spot on her husband Quinten’s back.

She urged him to get it looked at, but initially he did not want to. After a month, he decided to visit his doctor.

The small black dot was cut from his back, sent for testing and determined to be melanoma. Since then, Mr Booysen has been encouraging others not to ignore the symptoms.

Cancer Council WA regional education officer Kate Raston said her organisation was looking for residents like Mr Booysen to share why people should not put skin checks at the bottom of their to-do lists.

“Speaking up and sharing your story could be the push your friend, workmate or neighbour needs to stop putting off getting a potential cancer symptom checked — it could quite literally save their life,” Ms Raston said.

“The fact is, the earlier cancer is found, the better your treatment outcomes are, so it’s vital you know what to look out for and see your doctor, clinic nurse or health worker when something’s not right.”

Cancer Council research reveals regional West Australians are 20- 30 per cent more likely to die within five years of a cancer diagnosis than their metropolitan counterparts because they delay seeking medical attention.

Call the Cancer Council on 13 11 20.