BY MARK MCKELVEY

RESPONDING to the recent news that cases of melanoma skin cancer have more than doubled locally in the last two decades, Cllr Paddy McGowan has spoke of his recent ordeal in overcoming this deadly disease, to hopefully warn others to be vigilant so they do not have to endure a similar experience.

Having gone to see his local doctor for a basic check-up last November, Paddy happened to mention in passing that he had a small hard spot on the top of his head which he joked he had noticed when combing the little hair he has left.

Paddy explained, "I had noticed it for a few months but as it wasn't sore, I didn't think too much of it. But as soon as the doctor looked at it he was able to tell me there and then what it was. He knew straight away and my heart sank when I heard it was cancer. But I am a very positive person, so just said to myself, it is me today and somebody else tomorrow so just hoped that we had caught it early and the treatment would be successful.

"I was diagnosed as having a malignant aggressive skin cancer on the top of my head and was lucky that I got called quickly and had the operation done in January and I have had no problems since, thank God.

"It wasn't easy and it wasn't nice to have to go through this. I suffered a lot of pain afterwards as I had to have a very deep incision to get it removed, but I got an excellent surgeon at Altnagelvin Hospital that looked after me."

fatal

Paddy commented that if it hadn't have been picked up at this stage he may have needed to have chemotherapy and there was of course always the risk that it could be fatal.

"I was very fortunate that despite the depth of the cancer, I didn't need to have a skin graft afterwards," said Paddy. "I am hopeful now that the surgeon has got it all removed by going so deep, but I still have to have a few tests and check-ups before I get the all clear.

"It was a deeply worrying time. When you are referred to a cancer specialist it sets you back a bit. Although it is said this is the better of the cancers, if there is one, it still can have the same fatal consequences."

Having spent much of his retired years organising and going on pilgrimages to Lourdes, Paddy believes he was just as susceptible of contracting skin cancer at home as abroad. A lesson he says he has certainly learnt in the past seven months. As an active councillor and keen gardener who is always out and about when the sun is shining, he says he definitely won't be leaving home with his head exposed and warned others to do likewise.

Paddy said, "I would say to people that I have learned the hard way the dangers of skin cancer. I would say to any man that certainly doesn't have a lot of thatch on top, whether or not at home or away on holiday, to always wear a cap, even if they are just out cutting the grass, it is better to cover up.

"I have been given a warning and I won't be needing another one. People would say to me that I would be away a lot, but it really doesn't matter, you can get it as easy sitting in your garden in Omagh.

"I now realise that it doesn't take a strong sun to do it also and that anywhere in your body that is exposed is vulnerable, but your head is the most susceptible."

Paddy, who is fresh and energetic 71-year-old that hasn't let this recent illness slow him down, warned that skin cancer can strike anyone at any age.

"When I see men who are going bald or shave their head on building sites or in the town, the first thing I now notice is that they are not wearing a cap and the dangers that has," said Paddy.

"There is a perception among the young that they are not in danger of skin cancer and it only happens to older people or those living in hotter climates but this can happen to anyone at any age.

"I was told that in fact the older you are that doctors are actually able to treat skin cancer better.

"Cancer doesn't have any boundaries and certainly doesn't choose or exclude people by age."

Figures from the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry show there has been a steady increase in the number of men with skin cancer, however revealed the number of cases involving women appears to have peaked.

Director of the registry, Dr Anna Gavin said people should protect themselves in the sun by wearing appropriate clothing and protection.

"The best thing you can do is to put on a tee shirt, a hat and use sun screen of at least Factor 15," she said. "Sunglasses can also protect eyes from sun rays which can, in the long term, lead to cataracts."