England coach Andy Flower misses second day of Ashes Test for melanoma surgery
England coach Andy Flower was absent from the second day of the Ashes test at the Gabba this week in Brisbane because of a case of melanoma. The 42-year-old is having a cancerous growth surgically removed from his cheek.
A spokesperson for the England and Wales Cricket Board told BBC sport that the coach is expected to pull though without any incident.
After a medical examination this past week, doctors and dermatologists suggested the minor surgery be performed as a precautionary measure. The final decision was made by Flower, who preferred not to take any risks. "He went off for a routine check, and
they said they felt it prudent to take it out," the spokesperson told reporters.
Melanoma is a kind of skin cancer that is aggravated by ultraviolet rays from the sun, therefore the Australian climate has been known to provoke outbreaks in people who are already prone to the disease, or who have sensitive skin. "He has had a melanoma
taken out, which was successful in terms of the procedure," said the spokesperson.
The coach will most likely be back in time for the end of the first match in the series of five Tests. England's fielding coach Richard Halsall replaces him in his brief absence.
When melanoma growths are removed early on, experts say that there is a nearly 100 percent rate of effectiveness in preventing the disease from spreading. As long at the cancer is not allowed to fester, it is easily treatable, and is among the milder forms
of cancer.
Skin cancer is a major issue in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 and the semi-tropical nation has an array of facilities in place to deal with melanoma.
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