Vinnie Jones health: Footballer and wife both battled same disease – what is it?

Vinnie Jones, 54, became a household name as a professional football player before turning his talents to acting. Vinnie played 184 games in the Premier League, scoring 13 goals in the competition. Since his retirement from football, Vinnie has capitalised on his tough guy image and has appeared in a string of blockbuster films including Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Mean Machine, S-Men: The Last Stand and Gone in 60 Seconds. Vinnie suffered an unimaginable loss this year when his wife passed away from skin cancer, a disease he too suffered with.

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A statement released from the Jones’ management announced: “At 8:46am local time in Los Angeles on Saturday July 6, Vinnie Jone’s wife, Tanya Jones, passed away after a long illness.

“Tanya passed peacefully at the Jones’ family home surrounded by Vinnie, their daughter and other family members.

“Vinnie and the family ask for privacy while they go through an understandable period of mourning during this devastating time.”

Vinnie had previously spoken about how they had both been diagnosed with melanoma back in 2013.

Both had had their fair share of cancer scares with Tanya being treated for cervical cancer and Vinnie finding a lump under his eye which a malignant melanoma.

The couple fought the disease together, with melanoma being the most serious skin cancer.

Sadly, Tanya’s battle came to an end earlier this year.

Growing problem

Skin cancer is a growing problem with currently two and three million non-melamona skin cancers and 132,000 melanoma skin cancers occurring each year globally.

Recent statistics say that one in three cancers diagnosed is skin cancer.

Despite efforts to address skin cancer risk factors, such as inadequate sun protection and intentional tanning behaviours, skin cancer rates, including rates of melanoma, have continued to increase worldwide.

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What are the early symptoms to look out for?

Macmillan Cancer Support said on their website: “The signs and symptoms of skin cancer include when parts of the skin look smooth and pearly, waxy, earring as a firm, red lump or may look sunken in the middle, appear as a pearly brown or black lump, itchy feeling that sometimes bleeds, developing a crust or scab, begins to heal but never completely, looks like a flat, red spot that is scaly and crusty, looks like a pale non-healing scar or it develops into a painless ulcer.

“If you notice anything unusual on your skin that does not go away after four weeks, show it to your doctor. It might help to take a photograph of anything unusual so you can check for any changes.

“Remember that there are many other skin conditions that are not cancer, especially in older people. It can be more difficult to notice changes if you have darker skin.

“This is because symptoms of skin cancer can be less obvious than those for people with paler skin.

“If you notice any changes, or develop a sore that does not heal, speak to your doctor.”

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