Federal politician Mark Coulton has had to take some medical time out during his final weeks as Member for the Parkes electorate.

Mr Coulton underwent a successful surgery to remove melanoma and five lymph nodes on Friday 28 February. 

"All indications are that the procedure was completely successful, and I will not require further treatment," Mr Coulton said.

The former farmer knows he is far from alone in his skin cancer diagnosis and is taking the opportunity to remind others in his electorate to take precautions and have regular skin checks.

He also reassured the residents of his vast electorate that support remains in place for any of their government-related concerns.

"I will be taking a few days to recuperate and look forward to getting back to work later next week.

"In the meantime, my three electorate offices remain open, and my exceptional staff will continue to provide their usual high level of service to the constituents of the Parkes electorate."

In February 2023, Mr Coulton had two basal cell carcinomas and a melanoma removed and in August 2021 he had a basal cell carcinoma removed as well. 

 Mark Coulton following the basal cell carcinoma removal in August 2021. Photo: Mark Coulton Facebook

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, also known as non-melanoma skin cancers, account for 97 percent of all annual skin cancers nationwide every year, amounting to 570,000 cases. 

Most non-melanoma skin cancers are not life threatening unless left untreated. 

In his younger years, Mr Coulton said he worked often out in the paddock in the direct sun with minimal sun protection.

Around 95 percent of skin cancers are caused by UV exposure. 

He is now a big advocate of wearing sun protection to prevent skin cancer and has pushed for getting melanoma removal listed as a Medicare item. 

"I cannot stress enough how important it is for everyone to follow the timeless adage of 'Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide' - it does not matter whether you are a young parent taking your child to the pool for a swimming lesson, a cocky who has been on the land for 30 years or an international tourist holidaying in Australia," Mr Coulton said. 

 "Proper sun safety is the only way to prevent this from happening to you and regular skin checks are the only way to catch skin cancer early."

Since the introduction of the Slip Slop Slap campaign in 1982, the risk of contracting melanoma by the age of 30 shrunk from 1 in 9,100 in 1982 to 1 in 62,000 in 2020, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).