Ian Cant, a 56-year-old carpenter from Thornton, has a stark warning for outdoor workers who neglect sun protection: 'You do not want to experience what I experienced. You do not want to end up with melanoma.'
Mr Cant, who was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in April 2016, is now cancer-free after undergoing immunotherapy. He has joined the Hunter Melanoma Foundation's campaign to raise awareness among outdoor workers about the dangers of UV radiation.
A Preventable Cancer
'It is a completely preventable type of cancer,' Mr Cant said. He described the terrifying moment when doctors found a tennis-ball-sized melanoma on his left lung and about 30 smaller tumours in both lungs. He also had a golf-ball-sized tumour in the back of his brain and two in his abdomen.
'It was all through my body. I was 46 at the time,' he recalled. 'It was scary. Your kids and your family are what you think about.'
Treatment and Recovery
Mr Cant underwent brain surgery to remove a tumour attached to the lining of his brain, followed by immunotherapy with pembrolizumab at the Calvary Mater hospital. The drug had just been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, costing him just $37 per infusion instead of up to $11,000.
After 12 months of infusions every three weeks, his first scan showed the melanoma had essentially disappeared. By 2022, his oncologist confirmed he remained cancer-free.
'I am one of the lucky ones. For whatever reason, immunotherapy worked for me. It does not work for everybody,' he said.
Training for Outdoor Workers
The Hunter Melanoma Foundation has developed an online training program specifically for outdoor workers. Executive officer Claudia Tolhurst emphasised that the program is 'not just a tick and flick exercise' but is designed to create behavioural change.
'Skin cancer is a work and safety issue. UV radiation is a known workplace risk that causes workers' compensation claims,' Ms Tolhurst said. The training teaches workers about UV ratings and how to protect themselves when the rating is high, as well as how to check their skin for suspicious spots.
Growing Up in the Sun
Mr Cant grew up in the sun during the 1970s and 1980s, spending time at Sandbar Beach on the Lakes Way. Now, he is vigilant about protecting his own children.
'They do not get to leave the house in summer or winter without sunscreen. It sits in a prominent place at home,' he said. 'It becomes part of what you do every day. You eat breakfast, clean your teeth and put sunscreen on.'
Regular Skin Checks Essential
Mr Cant stressed the importance of regular skin checks by experts, yourself, and your family. 'Check your own skin. Your doctor will ask if you've noticed any changes. Go and see an expert at least once every 12 months,' he urged.
His message is clear: 'You do not want to experience what I experienced. You do not want to end up with melanoma.'
