FAMILY OF ZOE PANAYI CONTINUE PUSH FOR MELANOMA TESTING REFORM 5 YEARS ON

A campaign calling for all removed moles and skin tags to be routinely tested for melanoma under NHS procedure is continuing to grow in strength, driven by the family of a young woman who died from the disease at just 26 years old.

Zoe Panayi, a devoted mother, died from melanoma after a mole that was later found to be cancerous was removed and discarded without testing.

Her brother, Charlie Panayi, has since launched ‘Zoe’s Law’ – a campaign that calls for mandatory testing of all removed skin lesions to prevent similar tragedies from happening again. He says the campaign was a promise made to his sister, who asked that her story be used to help save others.

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Over the past 5 years, Charlie – alongside his mother Eileen Punter, stepfather Stuart Punter, Zoe’s friend Leah, and a network of supporters – has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funds. From climbing Kilimanjaro, Mount Toubkal, and reaching Everest Base Camp, to 80-mile charity bike rides and speaking events across the UK, the group has raised thousands for Mountbatten Hospice and spread Zoe’s story far and wide.

So far, over 35,000 people have signed the petition backing Zoe’s Law. The campaign has also gained support from Members of Parliament and figures within the medical community.

However, campaigners say more support is urgently needed. To prompt a debate in Parliament and drive legislative change, the petition must reach 100,000 signatures.

Charlie Panayi, brother of Zoe and founder of the campaign, has said:

“Zoe asked me personally to save people’s lives in her name so other children didn’t need to lose their mum and parents didn’t lose their children.

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“This is more than a petition – it’s a promise. That no other family should be left wondering ‘what if’ because a simple test wasn’t done.”

To support the campaign, visit www.linktr.ee/zoeslaw.