Barry and Helen

Nelson local Barry Hills has a SunSmart message for other New Zealanders this summer, and he has good reason to. The 68-year-old is a keen fisherman and has spent considerable time outdoors throughout his lifetime, beginning when he was a young child.   

Unfortunately, Barry now has a skin cancer diagnosis to contend with and is undergoing extensive treatment as it has spread to other areas of his body. Barry’s wife Helen also has an experience with skin cancer. She had a melanoma which was first noticed under her big toe nail many years ago and then removed, before another popped up on her right upper arm and was also operated on. Luckily it has never returned, but Helen remains vigilant.   

“As a child I spent a lot of time at Tahunanui Beach in Nelson. In those days we didn’t know much about sun protection or wearing a hat”, explains Barry. “Later in life I was a joiner by trade then and a landscaper gardener for years and I was a bit more SunSmart.”  

Barry says he is “very SunSmart” nowadays, particularly as he owns a boat and loves to go out fishing.  Unfortunately, Barry thinks his childhood days have come back to haunt him, beginning when he received a skin cancer diagnosis in his 60s. 

Barry has had various basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) removed from his head and face. In January of this year, he had a “nasty spot” removed from the top of his head, which turned out to be a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). He needed a skin graft and then had to travel from Nelson to Christchurch for three weeks of radiation treatment.  

Although he was given the “all clear” by the Nelson surgeon later in the year, Barry recently found a new lump in his neck. Although it is rarer for SCC to spread, Barry’s spread to his lymph nodes. He is scheduled for surgery at the beginning of January 2025 to remove the lymph nodes, followed by another planned course of radiation.  

“The diagnosis was certainly a huge shock to me, my family and friends, and it’s a very worrying time for us, not knowing what the outcome will be”, says Barry, who has experienced considerable anxiety associated with his diagnosis and coping with his new reality.  

Barry and his wife Helen knew about the Cancer Society in Nelson as they regularly donate to street collectors on Daffodil Day. They say that the charity has helped them so much along this journey, by providing considerable support and information.  

The couple also stayed at the new Cancer Society accommodation in Christchurch (the Canterbury Cancer Centre) for the duration of Barry’s radiation treatment. They have enjoyed connecting with others in Nelson through the “Survivors and Thrivers” group meetings.  

The Hills are sharing their story to help others think about protecting their skin in the sun and to be vigilant about any changes to their skin. Barry’s message to others this summer is simple.  

“Get to your GP quickly if you notice anything unusual. And remember to Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap to stay safe this summer!”  

That means slipping on clothes to cover as much skin as possible; slipping into shade, especially during the middle of the day; slopping on sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every two hours; slapping on a wide-brimmed hat; and wrapping on close-fitting, sun-protective sunglasses.  

Barry will take his own advice this summer as he plans to spend time boating, fishing, gardening and attending cricket matches. He is thankful that his treatment will continue and is hoping for a smoother year ahead. The Hills also hope that their story will inspire others to be safe in the sun from childhood onwards.  

“Later in life some people will regret not being SunSmart, as I do now. And don’t dismiss your symptoms until it’s too late. If you have changes to your skin, get them checked urgently – it could save your life!”