A Golfer Like Me

Kevin Milton

Kevin is 60 years of age, and a member of Hartley Wintney Golf Club. Following retirement, he now enjoys playing golf 3 times a week, but is particularly careful around sun protection, and for good reason.

Seeing red

“Four years ago I received a melanoma diagnosis which completely changed my life.

The only clue I had this killer cancer was a small red dot on my arm. It was not a mole, it wasn’t raised, wasn’t black, nor itchy and it didn’t bleed, in fact, the expert I saw at Salisbury hospital thought it was probably an insect bite, so it could have very easily have been missed.

 Diagnosis and treatment

What probably saved my life is the fact that I am not your typical male. I go to the GP the minute I suspect a problem and was at the time worried about some small marks that were appearing on my face, which the doctor confirmed were nothing to worry about.

Whilst there, I presented the red spot on my arm, and the GP was more concerned with this and referred me to the surgery’s skin specialist. From there, with hindsight, I realise that the very quick actions of the hospital to remove the spot and put it to biopsy and subsequent deep wide incision, that saved my life.

Following a large skin graft, my lymph nodes were tested. I was informed that the melanoma was 4 mm deep and was likely therefore to have spread to the rest of my body and this was life threatening. I was fortunate- it hadn’t spread.

I must accept that I will always be prone to this killer. My surgeon has said that I can’t expect to get to the normal expected age, and I still have to have checks every 3 months.

Taking precautions

I love golf and realise exposing myself to sun is inevitable. I do however take sun protection seriously, applying sunscreen before and during my round, I wear a wide brimmed hat and tight weave fabrics to keep the sun out.

Spreading awareness

I do mention my experience to fellow golfers, and it is obvious that this life-threatening disease is not taken seriously.  I am however due to be seniors captain in 2022/23 and we have chosen the Melanoma Fund as the club charity, to raise funds for the Slip! Slap! Swing! campaign and help bring sun protection to the attention of all in golf.

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