Woman, 26, Has Lower Eyelid Removed After ‘Blocked Pore’ Turns Out to Be Skin Cancer

**Sunscreen Sales Tax Sparks Health Campaign by Skin Cancer Survivor**

A young woman, Jessica Zbinden-Webster, is calling for the removal of a sales tax on sunscreen in the UK, highlighting the burden it places on those trying to protect themselves from skin cancer. Zbinden-Webster’s personal journey with skin cancer, stemming from childhood sun exposure, led her to launch an awareness campaign aimed at improving access to sunscreen, which she believes is essential for public health.

At the age of 26, Zbinden-Webster discovered a spot beneath her eye that she initially dismissed as a minor blemish. Drawing from her long-standing issues with her skin, she noted that she did not consider it serious. “I had always had problematic skin in my teens and twenties,” she shared on *This Morning*. The unexpected diagnosis of skin cancer came as a shock to her, particularly because she did not conform to the typical stereotypes associated with the disease. “The last thing I thought was that it was something serious,” she said, explaining that she did not use tanning beds and imagined she was too young for such concerns.

However, the reality of her condition hit hard when, after rubbing her eye one day, she noticed blood streaming down her face. “Understandably very freaked out,” she promptly sought medical attention, where doctors quickly diagnosed her and arranged for urgent treatment. “This was the last thing I expected,” she stated, recalling that her skin cancer diagnosis was primarily due to playing outside during the ’90s, a common activity for many children.

Zbinden-Webster underwent multiple surgeries to treat the cancer, which included having her lower eyelid removed in a procedure that she described as “quite stressful.” The surgery took place while she was awake, leaving her feeling claustrophobic. Following the removal of the tumour, she had a skin graft procedure that involved a section of her inner arm being placed over the resulting hole. Unlike many, Jessica’s recovery was fraught with challenges, hindering her daily activities and affecting her eyesight.

As part of her recovery, she was advised to wear sunscreen daily. During this time, Zbinden-Webster became acutely aware of the fact that sunscreen is subject to the same sales tax as cosmetic products, a categorisation she disputes. “I realised that sunscreen isn’t just cosmetic,” she remarked, noting its role as a medical necessity. “It’s something that keeps us safe that everybody should have reasonable access to.”

This realisation sparked Zbinden-Webster’s campaign, dubbed “Axe the SPF Tax,” urging policymakers to exclude sunscreen from the sales tax in the UK. She expressed her concern about how this financial barrier affects low-income families, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis. “How do families afford this if they’re following best practices by wearing sunscreen every day?” she questioned. “It’s critical, not cosmetic,” she insisted, stressing the importance of sun safety in preventing skin diseases.

The campaign is gaining momentum, with Zbinden-Webster reporting over 85,000 signatures in support of removing the tax. Once her petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it will be eligible for consideration in the UK Parliament. Zbinden-Webster is hopeful that her efforts will result in a strong message being sent to Number 10, the office of the Prime Minister.

“Imagine if every cancer could be avoided in nine out of ten cases with something as simple as sunscreen from a local pharmacy,” she said, envisioning a future where sun safety is prioritised and made accessible for all. Zbinden-Webster’s courageous battle with skin cancer and her subsequent advocacy is shining a light on an essential health issue, emphasising that prevention should not come at a cost that excludes the most vulnerable in society.