Punter familThe family of a woman who died of melanoma skin cancer say it is “crazy” mandatory testing of removed moles and skin tags has not been introduced, five years after her death.
Zoe Panayi, from the Isle of Wight, died in 2020 which was traced back to a mole that doctors allegedly claimed was not harmful.
The 26-year-old had the mole removed by a cosmetic clinic instead, but it grew back and turned out to be malignant.
A campaign by her mother, Eileen Punter, for “Zoe’s Law” to ensure all removed moles are tested for cancer is set to be discussed in parliament.
Ms Panayi, a mother of two and a radiography assistant at St Mary’s Hospital on the island, had been to see a GP in 2018 about the mole that was “bobbly” and “really itchy” and was told it was a skin tag.
She was told the same by another GP a year later, and was advised to have the mole removed at a private cosmetic clinic.
When it became painful in April 2020, she went to A&E and it was diagnosed as cancerous shortly afterwards. She died 55 days later.
Five years on, Ms Punter said losing her daughter “doesn’t get easier”.
“I feel sadder and sadder, as those five years have gone on. Especially seeing her two little boys and how they’re growing up.”
Since her death, the family has been campaigning for “Zoe’s Law” in her memory, calling for mandatory testing of all removed moles to be made standard practice at private beauty clinics.
It is supported by the British Association of Dermatologists which has recommended all skin lesions are tested, even if removed for cosmetic reasons.
Currently, there is no guidance on cosmetic mole removals, according to The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice).
Ms Panayi’s brother Charlie said: “The fact that this hasn’t changed is crazy.”
“It’s one of the easiest cancers to cure if found at the start and the hardest if you don’t.
“From what she [Zoe] said to me when she was dying – if I could help save people’s lives, then at least she didn’t die for no reason.”
Ms Punter said over the past five years she has had people get in touch with her from all over the world with similar experiences: “A lot of them in England especially, they’ve come back with stories the same saying it’s the same as Zoe – ‘I was just ignored’.
“Unfortunately five years on, it’s too late for some of them as well because they were never tested before either.
“Zoe basically said to us ‘there’s nothing you can do for me, but I don’t want anyone else’s children having to go through what they will without their mummy’ and just to raise as much awareness as we can.”
Isle of Wight West MP Richard Quigley has secured a backbench business debate calling for urgent reform in the testing of all mole removals.
Mr Quigley said: “I think it’s a case of highlighting not just the fact you’re going to save lives, because the earlier melanoma is detected the better the success rate but also the immense cost-saving to the NHS.”
The Department of Health and Social Care has been approached for comment.
Melanoma skin cancer
- Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other areas of the body.
- The main cause is ultraviolet light.
- Rates rose by almost a third, external between 2009 and 2019 – from 21 to 28 cases per 100,000 people.
- A new mole or a change in size, shape or colour of an existing mole may be signs of melanoma.
- The earlier melanoma is picked up, the more likely it can be successfully treated.
- Almost nine in 10 adults diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in England will survive their disease for 10 years or more.
Source: NHS/Cancer Research UK