DEEP SKIN

Coronation Street star Vicky Myers shares the shock of her skin cancer diagnosis and encourages us to look for the warning signs and be sun smart.

Vicky Myers is used to hard hitting storylines. But none hit harder than finding out she had skin cancer in real life

Vicky first hit the Street as DS Lisa Swain, heading up an investigation into a brutal hate crime. Now she’s a central character at the forefront of dramatic storylines.

The actress has had her fair share of real life drama. Following an acrimonious divorce and becoming a single parent, she found life enormously stressful.

“I was doing whatever I could to make ends meet but couldn’t, so I had to take a break from acting and pursue other ways of earning a living. You tell yourself it’s just not your time, but that doesn’t help when you’ve a family and bills to pay.”

It was during those turbulent times an observant medic spotted a suspicious mark on Vicky’s leg.

“My nephew has a heart condition. I’d taken him to our local GP for his monthly check up and I was wearing rolled up cargo pants. As we were leaving the consultation room the doctor noticed a dark mark on my leg. Five days later, I was in hospital being treated for skin cancer.

“It’s quite incredible to think that if it had been a miserable day the doctor wouldn’t have seen the little dark mark on my calf. I feel very grateful.”

Vicky’s treatment for malignant melanoma included reconstructive surgery at The Christie hospital. She is now fully recovered but urges people to check for the warning signs of skin cancer and to be sun smart.

The turnaround in her health and career is testimony to Vicky’s resilience.

“My experience has shown that keeping an eye on your skin is key to catching skin cancer early. There are also many ways to protect your skin from harmful UV rays such as using SPF creams, covering your skin, wearing a hat and staying out of the sun when it’s at peak times.”

Cancer Research UK recommends getting familiar with how your skin usually looks, so you can spot any changes easily. “If you can’t see certain areas, then a good tip is to grab a handheld mirror or ask a friend for help. They also suggest you take photos of any suspicious skin spots, marks or moles. The ABCD check list – Asymmetry, Border, Colour, Diameter – is great to refer to. If you have any concerns, please see your doctor. Early detection is key!”

“All in all, it’s best to stay alert about your skin and don’t hesitate to get checked if something is troubling you or doesn’t seem right.”

More Information

Any changes can be a concern. Tell your GP about any changes to a mole or patch of skin or a new mark on adult skin.

Source: British Skin Foundation britishskinfoundation.org.uk