Ryan's story – melanoma

Ryan was diagnosed with melanoma in 2017, after he noticed bleeding from a birthmark behind his right ear.

"The mark was the size of a 20p coin, and I had it since birth. It had never worried me and was not growing, so I thought at first the bleeding was to do with the fact I regularly shave my head. But my partner, Vicky, was worried because I discovered blood on the pillow one day after not shaving my head.

"In March 2017 I finally went to the GP, as the bleeding had continued. I was referred for an urgent appointment at the hospital and the consultant I saw was concerned enough to want to remove the birthmark. That was in April 2017, and Vicky and I then went on our delayed honeymoon.

"If I had left it another six months, I would have progressed to stage 3 or 4 and become untreatable.

"I did not require any chemo following the surgery and have been monitored with check-ups every six months, although that was a bit out of kilter during COVID.

"Two further moles have been removed from my back as a result of the check-ups, but both were negative for cancer.

"I have done fundraising challenges for Cancer Research UK and was prompted not only by my own experience, but a friend being diagnosed with cancer in January that year – sadly, she has since passed."