A MUM of-two who battled skin cancer has been chosen to front a national sun awareness campaign after figures revealed soaring cases of skin cancer across the county.

Jaki Munday, 39, was diagnosed with potentially fatal malignant melanoma in 2004.

The warehouse assistant and mum to Callum, 11, and Ruby, aged five, went to her doctor after finding an abnormal mole on her neck.

It was a decision which probably saved her life.

She explained: “It looked like a piece of skin filled with fluid. It was smooth and pale looking, and didn’t have any of the usual signs of being cancerous, such as itching, changing colour or bleeding, but I knew it wasn’t right.

“So I insisted on being referred to hospital to have it checked out.

Mrs Munday’s worst fears came true when just a few weeks later she was told the mole was indeed cancerous.

After having a lymph node removed, Mrs Munday and her family were horrified to learn the cancer may have spread.

But a further 20 lymph nodes removed from her neck in Oxford were eventually found to be all clear from cancer. She said: “I don’t blame anyone for not thinking that my moles were not cancerous, they didn’t show any of the usual signs which makes it more scary really.

“It is important for people to know their own body and not be afraid to insist on getting something checked out that they are worried about.”

In July, the Annual Oxfordshire Health Profile revealed that the number of cases of skin cancer in the county is significantly higher than average, with 23 cases diagnosed per 100,000 people, compared to an average of 13 per 100,000 across the country.

Mrs Munday said her own experience of skin cancer made her want to raise awareness about the hazards of sunburn. And that is why she and her children and husband Ian, also 39, have teamed up with Cancer Research UK to promote their SunSmart campaign which highlights the risks for young people.

Mrs Munday, from Banbury, said: “Many young people wrongly assume that going red is part of the tanning process, but sunburn is a sign the DNA in your skin cells has been damaged."

Helen Johnstone, Cancer Research UK spokesperson in Oxfordshire, said: “During the summer the desire to look brown will encourage many young people to use sunbeds prior to soaking up the sun on the beach.

“Yet using sunbeds and sun worshipping can carry very real risks of premature ageing and skin cancer, especially if you get burnt.”

Cancer Research UK’s SunSmart campaign aims to encourage people to avoid sunburn this summer – covering up at the hottest parts of the day, and using at least factor 15 sunscreen regularly.

Possible warning signs include:

  • Changes in the size, shape or colour of a mole, freckle or patch of skin·
  • A new growth or sore that won’t heal·
  • A spot, mole or sore that itches or hurts·
  • A mole or growth that bleeds, crusts or scabs
  • Not all skin cancers look the same and can be hard to spot. If you notice anything unusual, even if you don’t think it’s anything to worry about, get it checked out by your GP.

More information is available at sunsmart.org.uk