Overview
- On Tuesday Paul Merson told Good Morning Britain that he delayed a check of a changing mole and is now backing a Boots and Macmillan sun‑safety push tied to the World Cup.
- Merson said the mole on his back first worried him in 2012 but he put off a doctor visit, a decision he has blamed on 'laziness' and 'being a man'.
- Surgeons removed the lesion within days of diagnosis, leaving about 50 stitches, and Merson underwent scans twice a year for five years while living with fear of recurrence.
- He is urging simple prevention steps such as regular use of high‑factor broad‑spectrum sunscreen, reapplying often, and checking hard‑to‑see spots like the back of the neck; Boots is offering a discounted mole‑scanning service until mid‑July.
- Coverage links Merson's story to rising UK melanoma figures reported in recent years and highlights athlete campaigns such as Dan Burn's 'Dan Won't Burn' messaging to reach fans and change behaviour.