A Dublin woman is sharing her experience of being diagnosed with skin cancer twice to highlight the importance of practising sun safety.
Gill Costelloe (45) from Ballybrack is one of 11,500 people diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland every year. Skin cancer is Ireland’s most common cancer, and the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) expects the number of people diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland to double by 2040.
Gill was first diagnosed with skin cancer in 2016 after a friend noticed a mole on her back and advised her to get it checked out. It was a stage one melanoma, which was removed.
All was going well until five years later, in 2021, when Gill fainted a few days in a row. It was discovered that she had a reoccurrence of melanoma that had spread.
Gill shared that she used to use sunbeds when she was younger and used to cycle without wearing sunscreen.
Skin cancer survivor Gill Costelloe said: “I used sunbeds and spent years sunbathing to get a tan to look healthy but, ironically, I’m far from healthy now. I did sunbeds when I was younger before I’d go on a sun holiday so I wouldn’t burn. It’s no wonder I got skin cancer.
“I was an avid cyclist and never once considered the damage I was doing to my body being out on the bike for hours on end with no sunscreen.”
Gill only recently got her first clear scan but is still living with the side-effects of having skin cancer and going through treatment. On the impact of her diagnoses, Gill said: “Now I’m afraid to get back on the bike in case I have a crash and end up in a wheelchair, as I have cancer in my hip bone. It kills me that I can no longer do what I love.
“I do still go out and enjoy myself when it’s sunny, but I wear a hat and cover up. I wear SPF every day now, even when it’s cloudy. There are some great fake tans available now too, which I love.” Gill wants to share her story to highlight the importance of getting moles and skin changes checked, and to make people stop and think before using sunbeds.
She said that there can sometimes be a perception that skin cancer is less serious than other cancers but wants to make people aware that this isn’t always the case.
Commenting on the perception of skin cancer, Gill said: “People think that skin cancer isn’t serious. Melanoma, even when it’s surgically removed from the skin, can come back and spread to other parts of your body. Mine was caught early but still spread to my liver, my lung, my breast, my stomach, my abdominal cavity and my hip bone. I nearly died and spent three months in hospital. I’m very, very lucky to be here today to tell my story.”
Gill is now doing well and is continuing to take a tablet-based chemotherapy. One of the lasting effects of her diagnoses is that she always worries about her cancer coming back. However, she feels strongly about the great strides that have been made in cancer research and treatment in recent years.
Speaking about what life is like for her now, Gill said: “I’m still living from scan-to-scan, and I will always have that fear of it coming back again. Even though cancer is scary, it’s not the death sentence it used to be – treatment and research are improving all the time. There is hope at the end of the day, and there are supports out there.
“When I found out my cancer had come back and had spread, my oncologist told me that if we were having this conversation five or six years before, it would’ve been a much sadder one. It’s just so, so important to get any skin changes checked – the earlier skin cancer is detected, the better the outcome.”
Kevin O’Hagan, Cancer Prevention Manager at the Irish Cancer Society, said: “Nearly nine out of every 10 cases of skin cancer are caused by UV rays from the sun or sunbeds. Sun safety is vital and that means protecting your skin, wherever you are, home or abroad. With most Irish people having fair skin, this will burn much quicker at soaring temperatures, and this greatly increases the risk of skin cancer.
“As Gill’s powerful story shows, it’s also 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 and 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
