Bad weather cancer test saved a fisherman's life

A pop-up screening at the North Shields fish quay identified a stage four melanoma in a fisherman who was docked by bad weather; he later had successful surgery and is reported cancer free.

A fisherman was diagnosed with cancer at a pop-up quayside screening when bad weather stopped him going to sea. The checks were run at the North Shields fish quay by the Fishermen's Mission and Macmillan to fit around fishing industry hours. The C-Aware scheme aims to increase access to cancer screenings in coastal communities. The Health Secretary visited the quay and the Department for Health has pledged measures to reduce variation in cancer care. Key facts: - Colin Graham, a skipper from North Shields, received screening while docked during bad weather and was diagnosed with stage four melanoma. - Since his December 2024 diagnosis he had successful surgery and is now reported cancer free. - The Fishermen's Mission worked with Macmillan to provide pop-up checks at the fish quay to reach people with unsociable work hours. - Colin has become a Macmillan Cancer Champion and has spoken about sharing the message with other fishermen. - Health Secretary Dr Zubir Ahmed visited those receiving check-ups, and the Department for Health has pledged to recruit more cancer specialists and improve detection technology. Summary: The pop-up screenings led to a diagnosis and treatment that is reported to have removed the cancer in this case, and organisers present the approach as helping reach people who work irregular hours. Officials have announced pledges to address uneven access to cancer care, and the timing and details of those changes are undetermined at this time.