Family of sunbed fan spreads message on deadly skin cancer

THE family of a man who died from skin cancer after spending years on a sunbed to maintain his bronzed physique have pledged to raise awareness.

Ryan Harrison, who enjoyed martial arts and going to the gym, died a year ago after developing the disease.

He had started using sunbeds in his late teens but the builder soon stopped using them in his early 20s after seeing publicity surrounding their dangers.

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But the damage had already been done and aged 30, soon after his son Jack, now seven, was born, he was diagnosed with skin cancer.

Seven years later, the cancer had spread through Mr Harrison's body and he lost his battle against the disease last June aged 37.

His mother Nancy, 59, a nurse, added: "He always liked to look his best and being tanned for a builder was part of the image. He bought a sunbed for his house and would use it three times a week."

Mr Harrison's heartbroken wife, Avelynne, 33, of Holmfirth, is

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now leading a 10-day 120-mile hike from her home town to the Lake District armed with bottles of sunscreen so his death is not in vain.

She said: "He went to the doctors about an itchy mole on his head. The mole was fine but his doctor noticed a tiny dark freckle on the side of his face which was cancerous.

"Ryan was devastated, but if he hadn't been to get that other mole checked out he would have never known."

It was removed and five years later Mr Harrison was given the all clear. But in 2008 he noticed a small lump on his stomach which grew to the size of a golf ball, and a lump appeared on his neck in the same place as the cancerous freckle which had been removed.

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His wife said: "Ryan had a very difficult battle. He was in constant pain and most of it he tried to hide from us."

Mrs Harrison, who is raising cash for The Christie Charity which helped him during his treatment, said: "We can't turn back the clock, but we can make people aware. Being aware can save lives and unnecessary heartache."

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