When Alf McConnell says he’s had 700 skin cancers removed most people don’t believe him.
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The truth is he just stopped counting at 700, the real figure is significantly higher.
For sixty years, Mr McConnell, now 79, has had cancer.
Melanomas, basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinoma – he’s had “the whole box and dice”.
As a child growing up in Coonamble north of Dubbo, no one worried about the amount of time fair-skinned Alf was spending in the sun.
Later as he worked in iron ore mines in WA, bauxite mines in Northern Territory and on Tipperary Station south of Darwin, no one saw hours in the sun, unprotected, as a problem – let alone an OHS issue.
“We didn’t know,” he said.
“We never had protection, you’d stay out in the sun playing cricket every day and head to the swimming pool all day.
“I’d get burnt, go red and go white again, I’d never tan.”
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Mr McConnell was first diagnosed with skin cancer at age 20.
“I realised I was going to have a real battle,” he said.
“They said they’d just keep coming.
“You’re shooting them down but they keep coming.”
Since that initial diagnosis, Mr McConnell has undergone radiation treatment, multiple surgeries and laser treatment as well as having hundred of cancers ‘zapped’ or cauterised.
“When I say to people I’ve had 700 they don’t believe me – but if you’re having 40 or 50 zapped at a time it doesn't take much, over 60 years, to build up to 700,” he said.
Mr McConnell has also had sections of his ear removed and 20 stitches in his face.
Next week he begins another 12 weeks of radiation therapy, after being given a choice between that and having his ear removed.
“I didn’t want to look like Chopper Read so i’m getting it,” he said.
Mr McConnell said these days people know to ‘slip, slop and slap’, but the danger of the sun is still lost on many.
“People don’t really understand,” he said.
“I get upset if I go somewhere and see people getting burnt or having their shirt off and they’re red. I feel like going over and saying ‘listen to my story’. Sometimes I do just go and say ‘be careful’.”
After decades of appointments, treatment, check ups and cancer removals, Mr McConnell is tired.
He hopes his story encourages others, especially farmers, to pick up a hat and protect themselves.
“I’d like people to think about it and if they’ve got a lump on their back go and have it checked out,” he said.
“A lot of men especially don’t like going to the doctor, but it’s important.”
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