“I truly believe that being aware of and proactive about skin changes has saved me from the worst-case scenario that my dad went through with skin cancer”
Skin cancer survivor shares her story to encourage people to get skin changes checked and practise sun safety
17th August 2026: A Kilkenny skin cancer survivor is sharing her story to highlight the importance of getting any concerning skin changes checked by your GP.
Liz Farrell (46) from Castlecomer is one of 11,000 people diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland every year.
Skin cancer is Ireland’s most common cancer, and the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) expects the number of people diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland to double by 2045.
Liz was diagnosed with skin cancer after she noticed some small red bumps appearing on her forehead in May 2021.
Around the same time, her father, who worked outdoors as a builder and frequently ran outdoors, was living with advanced skin cancer which he later passed away from.
Seeing what her father went through motivated Liz to document and check the skin changes she noticed.
Commenting on her dad’s skin cancer and her own diagnosis, Liz said: “Because of my dad’s skin cancer – his was so severe that he ended up dying from it – I decided to keep an eye on the spots that appeared on my forehead.
“I went to my GP who referred me to a dermatologist and they removed the spots. It turned out that I had basal cell and squamous cell cancer removed from either side of my forehead. It was a shock.
“Dad’s skin cancer was so severe, it was an eye-opener. Only for my dad, I wouldn’t have been so vigilant about my skin, and it could’ve been a worst-case scenario for me.”
After this experience, Liz, who works as an early years educator, continued to pay close attention to her skin and in 2023 noticed another change that she decided to get checked and, more recently, a mole on her arm.
Speaking about how being SkinSmart helped her to detect pre-cancerous growths on her skin after she was successfully treated for skin cancer, Liz said: “I noticed red spots appeared on my forehead where they’d been before. They were very small spots with a rough texture, and I noticed they were changing. They were removed and they were pre-cancerous, so I was treated with a chemo cream to be on the safe side.
“There was also a mole on my shoulder that I’d had all my life, but I noticed it started to change shape, and it got bumpier – that was removed last February and was pre-cancerous.
“My advice is to document any skin changes you notice and take pictures of them. My skin changes were small, but I took photos so I was able to document how rapidly they were changing and I could see the changes happening and could show my GP.”
Reflecting on her skin cancer diagnosis and the removal of pre-cancerous growths, Liz said: “They were all caught at an early stage. I’m very lucky. The only reason I’ve been so vigilant about my skin is because I saw what my dad went through with his skin cancer, and I was afraid that if I ignored anything it would grow to that extent.
“I truly believe that being aware of and proactive about skin changes has saved me from the worst-case scenario that my dad went through with skin cancer.”
Liz said she believes her skin cancer may be linked to sunburn she experienced as a child, as sunburn during childhood can increase your risk of developing skin cancer in later years.
Talking about her sunburn in childhood and the importance of being SunSmart, Liz said: “I’m very pale, I was outdoors all the time as a child and using sunscreen wouldn’t have been as regimented then as it is now, so I definitely got sunburnt a few times.
“My son is 20, and I’m always drumming into him the importance of wearing sunscreen, even on cloudy or overcast days. I wear sunscreen throughout the year now, and I’m cautious about being out in the sun.”
Kevin O’Hagan, Cancer Prevention Manager at the Irish Cancer Society, said: “As Liz’s powerful story shows, it’s important to check your skin regularly and go to your GP if you notice any skin changes, even if these changes are painless. These can be a new or changing mole, a flat red spot, a firm red lump, an ulcer or spot that is tender to the touch or rough and scaly patches.
“Early detection is vital – the sooner skin cancer is diagnosed, the more treatment options there are and the better the chance of cure. We want to ensure that the public are aware of the signs and symptoms of skin cancer and take action by contacting their GP if they notice any symptoms or have any concerns.”
Anyone with questions or concerns about skin cancer can contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 or supportline@irishcancer.ie, or drop into their nearest Daffodil Centre.
ENDS
For further information and interview requests contact Irish Cancer Society Communications: communications@irishcancer.ie / 087 645 3867
Further information on skin cancer can be found here: https://www.cancer.ie/cancer-information-and-support/cancer-types/skin-cancer
If anyone has any concerns about their skin health, contact the Irish Cancer Society’s Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700, or visit cancer.ie where they can find information on the causes, signs and symptoms of skin cancer.
Symptoms of Skin Cancer:
- A small lump
- Flat, red spot
- Firm, red lump
- A lump or spot that is tender to touch
- An ulcer that will not heal
- A lump with a scaly or horny top
- Rough, scaly patches
- A new or changing mole
Lifetime exposure to sunlight risks
- Regular sun holidays, working outdoors, outdoor sports or severe sunburn or blistering as a child or teenager may increase your risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer later in life.
