Fianna Fail TD and Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler has revealed that she is currently recovering from surgery for treatment of skin cancer.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner, the Waterford TD outlined that she recently underwent a procedure to remove cancer from the bridge of her nose, but it has proved unsuccessful.
The Portlaw native is now recovering at home after a second procedure which she underwent last week.
While on government duty in Brussels, Belgium on St. Patrick's Day - an Irish doctor was among a group she met and asked her if she realised she had a basal cell carcinoma on her nose.
Ms. Butler decided to wait until after the Budget was announced to undergo the second procedure.
“I have a basal cell carcinoma on the nasal bridge, the diagnosis was confirmed in April. It’s the first time I had a full anesthetic in my life, on my birthday too last Thursday. I had a procedure under local anesthetic in June but unfortunately it wasn’t successful.”
The Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People told the Examiner that the cancer appeared like a spot on her nose and developed as a result of sun damage in earlier years.
Ms. Butler has a number of stitches on her nose and will be working from home for three weeks before returning to the Dáil.
She said she was “floored” in the days following the surgery.
A consultant has told Deputy Butler that they do not believe the cancer has spread. The Waterford TD is awaiting the result of biopsies.
“I will have results in four weeks’ time but the consultant is very confident that it’s an isolated basal cell carcinoma with no spread. The importance of a good suncare regime has never been so important now with skin cancer the most common cancer in Ireland."
Mary Butler was not present at her party's Ard Fheis at the weekend on account of undergoing the procedure, but was returned as Vice President of the Party.
