A Bristol MP has thanked NHS staff in the city after revealing she has been diagnosed with skin cancer. Karin Smyth, who has been South Bristol’s MP since 2015, said she will be recovering at home in Bristol ahead of further potential treatment.
The Labour MP previously revealed she had surgery on her leg in November, and has now told constituents she’s undergone a second operation after receiving a diagnosis of melanoma before Christmas.
The South Bristol MP said she is continuing to vote in the House of Commons with a proxy vote, and her constituency office will continue to function as normal as she recovers and undergoes further treatment.
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She said: “Following surgery on my leg last November, I received a melanoma diagnosis before Christmas and recently had a second operation as part of a preventative treatment plan. This means that as Parliament returns this week after the Easter break, I will be continuing my recovery at home in Bristol, ahead of further potential treatment.
“The care I have received has been fantastic, and I’m very grateful to NHS staff for their work. I want to express my thanks to the teams at my GP practice, Southmead Hospital and the Bristol Royal Infirmary,” she added.
“I’ve also found it very helpful speaking to the team at Melanoma Focus,, who have provided useful information and guidance about this condition,” she explained. “I look forward to working with them in the future, as they continue their important work in researching and raising awareness of this type of skin cancer
“While I’m away from Westminster, my constituency office will continue to function as normal and I have secured a proxy vote for Parliament. This means I will continue to vote on all the issues that matter to Bristol South constituents in the House of Commons. I look forward to be doing this in person again soon,” she added.
