Former footballer Paul Merson has recounted the experience of being diagnosed with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, at the age of 43, stating it was a more frightening moment than his long-publicized battles with cocaine, gambling, and alcohol addiction.
Merson, who made over 400 appearances for Arsenal and represented England, was alone when he received the diagnosis in September 2012. He recalled feeling that he had not yet lived his life and hoped he was only halfway through it.
"I remember after coming out, someone asked me, ‘What did they say?’ And I said, ‘I can’t remember,’" Merson stated, emphasizing the importance of having someone accompany individuals when receiving serious medical news. "That’s why I’d always say it’s so important to take someone with you, because as soon as you hear that word, cancer, you just switch off."
Despite his history of overcoming addiction, Merson described the cancer diagnosis as the scariest moment of his life. He now champions a sun safety campaign with Boots and Macmillan Cancer Support, urging Britons to be more aware of sun exposure.
Merson noted that he had previously ignored changes in a mole on his back for years, a known warning sign of melanoma. He admitted to often training shirtless throughout his career, as awareness around sunscreen was not as prevalent then as it is today. Sun exposure and sunbeds are recognized as leading causes of melanoma due to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
It was only when the mole began bleeding onto his t-shirt while on holiday with his children that he could no longer ignore it. Doctors informed Merson that had he waited another two months, the cancer would likely have spread to other parts of his body. Surgeons removed the cancerous mole within a day of his diagnosis, resulting in 50 stitches on his back.
Merson acknowledged his fortune in being able to seek private treatment, which allowed for rapid intervention. However, the fear lingered, and he underwent regular scans for several years, witnessing others receive less favorable news.
Skin cancer diagnoses have increased significantly in Britain, with melanoma cases rising by nearly a third over the past decade. Approximately 19,400 new cases and 2,600 deaths from melanoma occur annually in the UK. The NHS advises that skin cancer can often be prevented by being cautious in the sun, using sunscreen, and reapplying it regularly.
Merson expressed frustration that his diagnosis could have been prevented, stating, "The frustrating thing was that it could be stopped. I just wanted to look good with my suntan."
He pointed to recent instances, such as England players appearing sunburnt during a pre-World Cup photoshoot, as examples of how quickly sun damage can occur, even on cloudy days. Research indicates that a significant percentage of adults have experienced sunburn on the back of their neck and do not always apply sunscreen to this area.
The Boots 'Back of the Neck' campaign offers a discount on its Mole Scanning Service and advises comprehensive sun protection, including high-factor, broad-spectrum sunscreen applied generously and reapplied every two hours, as well as wearing hats, t-shirts, and sunglasses, and seeking shade between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Merson now takes daily precautions, applying sunscreen to his face, neck, ears, and back, and using factor 50 sunscreen when he removes his shirt, urging others to heed such advice.