Lisa Bickerstaffe
30 April, 2025
News

Muswell Hill dermatologist fights back against skin cancer - raising over £17,000 for the British Skin Foundation’s research programme

Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Ben Esdaile, 48, traded in his white coat for running shoes to take on the iconic London Marathon last Sunday. Dealing with potentially deadly skin cancers on a daily basis - and seeing the devastation they cause to families across the capital - pushed Ben to be part of the change for future generations and support a cause close to his heart.

Ben at the finish line after a gruelling run

Although teased by his daughters as having a ‘mid-life crisis and trying to prove he’s still young’, the Muswell Hill resident completed the gruelling 26.3 mile marathon route in 5 hours and 5 minutes, raising over £17,000 and counting for the British Skin Foundation’s skin cancer research programme. 

Ever dedicated to his work, Ben was back in his clinic at 9am on Monday, albeit wearing flip flops due to a huge blister! He explained: ‘It was pretty brutal, I had to stop halfway to change my shoes but I was so happy to finish!’ 

Ben shows off his medal.
Ben shows off his medal. Credit: Ben Esdaile

The money Ben has raised will be able to fund two small research projects into skin cancer, giving vital seed-funding to pilot projects in this area. To donate or learn more about Ben’s marathon journey, visit his JustGiving page:  https://www.justgiving.com/page/ben-esdaile-1728929596586 

The NHS has seen a huge increase in the number of people seeking treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer. Approximately 17,500 people are diagnosed annually with melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. 

Tragically, 3,000 of these people will die from it every year in the UK alone. Ben is no stranger to the impact of skin cancer, seeing first-hand how it affects patients and their families.