Richard Quigley MP has led a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament urging the Government to introduce Zoe’s Law, a proposed legislative change that would mandate histological testing of all excised moles, ensuring early detection of melanoma and other skin cancers.
The campaign for Zoe’s Law began following the tragic death of Zoe Panayi, a young woman from the Isle of Wight, who died just 55 days after being diagnosed with melanoma. Despite raising concerns about a mole on her back with her GP on 2 separate occasions, Zoe was reassured it was nothing to worry about. She later opted for private cosmetic removal of the mole, a procedure during which, as is standard practice, the mole was not sent for histological testing. This meant her cancer went undetected until it was too late.
Zoe’s Law would require all moles and lesions removed for cosmetic reasons to be routinely tested for cancer, ensuring early detection and potentially saving lives.
During the debate, Richard paid tribute to Zoe’s life and the impact she had on her community:
“Zoe was like so many other 26-year-olds, a devoted mother to her two boys, a loyal friend to many across the Island, and a young woman full of promise. Despite her age, Zoe made a remarkable impact on our community.
“She volunteered as a carer and later trained to become a radiologist at St Mary’s Hospital. That’s what makes her story so heartbreaking: while she was dedicating herself to caring for others, her own health concerns were repeatedly dismissed.”
Richard urged the Department of Health and Social Care to introduce a ‘Zoe Check’ – a safeguard to ensure that the rigorous standards upheld across the NHS are equally enforced in private beauty clinics, so that these operators are held fully accountable and not shielded from scrutiny.
The debate comes off the back of growing public and clinical support for Zoe’s Law, with campaigners, dermatologists, and patient safety advocates urging Parliament to take action. Richard also highlighted the importance of listening to affected families and ensuring their experiences shape future healthcare policy.
Richard concluded the debate by reminding attendees of the human cost of inaction:
“Zoe Panayi did everything right—she sought help, she trusted the system—and yet the safeguards that should have protected her did not. That is why this debate matters. Zoe’s Law is not about blame; it is about prevention. It is about making sure that every mole, removed is tested as a matter of course.
“This is a small step with a profound impact—one that could save lives, reduce the burden on the NHS, and spare family’s unimaginable grief. The cost is minimal, the technology exists, and the reason is clear: cancer is not a place to cut corners.“
quigley! Come the election you’ll be toast, your party has betrayed this country.
Very sad that someone should lose their life so young.
As the article mentions “she trusted the system” and that is where it is failing us all.
I have been waiting for a dermatology appointment for a suspected skin cancer for over 3 months at St Mary’s after being referred on (or simply passed on) by both my GP surgery and the dermatology clinic in Newport.
My Quigley should look into that scenario instead of going for vanity photo opportunities.
It doesn’t matter how much money is pumped into
the NHS, the NHS Is finished.
The NHS wastes too much money paying
administration managers, sick pay, bank nursing
pay, and you would be amazed how many NHS
employees are shirking from home on full pay!
Enough is Enough it needs changing and changing fast.
Florence Nightingale will be turning in her grave
if she could see the way such a medical establishment
treats people.
The NHS is about care for the persons paying into
the system, not to waste money on other matters.
Cannon fodder – will not take any notice of him.