A Norfolk MP has described how he battled through some of his “darkest" days after receiving a life-changing cancer diagnosis.
Ben Goldsborough, MP for South Norfolk, went under the knife this time last year to have a cancerous mole removed, which he had ignored for years.
He was subsequently diagnosed with two types of skin cancer, merkel cell carcinoma and melanoma in February 2025.
Now, after two operations and ongoing immunotherapy treatment, the MP wants to show solidarity with other people going through a similar experience.
He said: "I ignored a mole on my arm for years, I was being a typical bloke.
"In October 2024, I noticed it had started to go crusty.
“One day, I was at parliament, I took my suit jacket off, and my shirt was covered in blood.
"I had just been elected as MP for South Norfolk.
"I immediately booked an appointment with a GP in London."
Mr Goldsborough was told by the GP the mole was "likely to be cancerous" before he had even had the biopsy done.
"It was the most stressful, darkest time of my life," he said.
"A very scary time."
When asked if Mr Goldsborough's treatment has been fast-tracked because he is an MP he said: "I am under the same NHS care everyone else is.
"I got my diagnosis in February 2025 after the biopsy results came back.
“My biopsy got pushed forward, as the doctors thought it was serious enough to need to be removed urgently.
"It was a huge amount to deal with.
"I had two operations.
"I am currently having immunotherapy to treat the melanoma.
"Every three weeks I am treated at a chemotherapy ward.
"Although the cancer has been removed, there are some cancerous cells still in my body.
"The staff have been brilliant."
Mr Goldsborough added his saving grace is “being a politician” as not everyone he speaks with knows he is being treated for cancer.
He said: "Luckily I can still do my job now, it is just finding new ways of working.
"I seek normality through that.
"There are times when you don't want to be Ben Goldsborough with cancer just Ben Goldsborough MP.”
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