Melanoma tragedy drives family's sun safety message for all Australians

In September last year, 66-year-old Lionel McGuire went to his GP with what he thought was a hernia. He was too late and now his daughter wants people to check their skin for any changes.

Just two months after he visited his GP, Lionel died from a melanoma measuring 22 centimeters in size, which was placing pressure on his pelvis and spine.

His daughter Sally Everett of Narromine is urging the community: If something doesn't look or feel right, get it checked.

"We didn't even know melanoma could be internal," Ms Everett said.

"We had so much to learn, and so we decided that we didn't want to see anybody suffer, or watch their loved one suffer like what we went through with dad."

One person is diagnosed with melanoma every 30 minutes

The family teamed up with the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation and has since been spreading the word about the importance of skin checks and being sun safe.

Ms Everett has also recently been appointed to the foundation's board of directors. 

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