Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Moles and Skin Tags: Testing for Cancer

12 December 2022 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Bob Seely Con Isle of Wight

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Bob Seely raised concerns about moles and skin tags: testing for cancer in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • MP initiated debate in memory of Zoe Panayi, who died from melanoma after multiple missed diagnoses.
  • Bob Seely stressed the importance of early diagnosis for malignant melanoma, which is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK.
  • Minister acknowledged the debate's importance and highlighted ongoing NHS campaigns to raise awareness about skin cancer risks.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Bob Seely Con Isle of Wight

The MP initiated the debate in memory of Zoe Panayi, who died from melanoma at age 26. He highlighted that Zoe had sought medical advice multiple times but was not diagnosed until late stages when she was given only 55 days to live. Bob Seely noted that malignant melanoma is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK and stressed the importance of early diagnosis, which significantly improves survival rates. The Isle of Wight has one of the highest skin cancer rates due to its white population, ageing demographics, and outdoor lifestyle. He proposed Zoe's law to test all removed moles for melanomas, suggesting it could help prevent future deaths from the disease. Seely also advocated for broader education on mole detection among GPs, hairdressers, dentists, and nurses.

Other contributors (1)
  • Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda

    The hon. Member supports testing all skin lesions removed for cosmetic reasons to ensure they are benign.

Government Response

Helen Whately

The Minister acknowledged the debate's importance and paid tribute to Zoe Panayi, noting that over 34,000 people had signed a petition. She emphasised the need for raising awareness about skin cancer risks and early signs, highlighting ongoing NHS campaigns such as 'Help Us, Help You.' The Minister detailed current initiatives like teledermatology being offered across the Isle of Wight and pilot self-referral schemes funded by elective recovery funds. She committed to examining Zoe's law regarding testing all removed moles for melanoma and exploring wider education on mole detection among various professionals. The Minister also mentioned advancements in cancer diagnosis, such as the NHS-Galleri trial, aiming to improve early diagnosis rates.

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