Labour MP Chris Bryant says cancer has returned as he faces two years of treatment

Labour MP Chris Bryant says cancer has returned as he faces two years of treatment

WATCH: Chris Bryant says he is battling cancer again

X/Chris Bryant
Millie Cooke

By Millie Cooke


Published: 13/05/2024

- 08:44

Updated: 13/05/2024

- 12:09

The MP for Rhondda posted a video on social media, urging his followers to 'take skin cancer seriously'

Labour MP Chris Bryant has revealed that he is battling cancer again, saying that he has been diagnosed with a melanoma in his lung.

He posted a video to social media as part of an attempt to raise awareness for melanoma month, urging people to "take skin cancer seriously".


In 2019, Bryant was diagnosed with skin cancer and given a 40 per cent chance of living for one year. But after a year of treatment, he was cancer-free.

But in January, his final scan indicated a melanoma in his right lung.

Chris Bryant

He posted a video to social media as part of an attempt to raise awareness for melanoma month, urging people to "take skin cancer seriously"

X/Chris Bryant

Speaking about the diagnosis, he said: "In years gone by, that might have been a death sentence. But thanks to immunotherapy, my chances of being completely cancer-free in 10, 15 years time are really good. So that's brilliant.

"The immunotherapy is tough, especially when you're on the combination treatment as I have been recently.

"It's not as tough as chemotherapy but thank goodness for the innovations that doctors have brought in, I have every hope of being completely cancer-free for the rest of my life."

He added: "This is melanoma month, please please please take skin cancer seriously. If you're in doubt about a mole, get it checked out.

"Secondly, please protect yourself from the sun. It's sun damage in the end and it can be avoided.

"So cover up, use high-factor sun cream and ensure your kids are protected from the sun.

Chris Bryant

In 2019, Bryant was diagnosed with skin cancer and given a 40 per cent chance of living for one year. But after a year of treatment, he was cancer-free

PA

"We can save ourselves from skin cancer. Let's do it."

Bryant, a vocal campaigner on the issue, has previously called for the Government to scrap VAT on sun scream as part of an attempt to protect more people from sun damage.

Speaking in a debate in 2019, the MP for Rhondda said: "Melanoma is one of the cancers that can metastasise into the brain, because it can travel either through the blood or through the lymphatic system.

"We also know that, although it can kill, especially in the circumstances we are talking about, it is very preventable."

He asked whether there was more the UK government could do to ensure "every child covers up in the sun and more people use sunscreen".

"Perhaps by taking VAT off sunscreen that is higher than SPF-30 or SPF-50," he suggested.

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