Aussie’s warning after her ‘innocent’ mole turned out to be melanoma at 27 despite the GP saying it was ‘fine’: ‘Don’t think it won’t happen to you’
An Australian woman has issued a warning to others to get their skin checked after an ‘innocent-looking’ mark on her leg turned out to be melanoma when she was just 27.
The woman, now 31, shared a photograph of the seemingly unremarkable spot as Australia heads into the warmer months, revealing she initially struggled to convince doctors that something wasn’t right.
At first glance, the small brown mark looked similar to an ordinary freckle or mole.
But despite its innocent appearance, she couldn’t shake the feeling that it needed investigating.
‘I had to advocate for myself and see a few GPs before someone took it out and it came back as a melanoma in situ (thankfully),’ she explained on Reddit.
Melanoma in situ is the earliest stage of melanoma, when abnormal cells remain confined to the outermost layer of the skin and have not invaded deeper tissue.
Thankfully, the woman said she has remained well in the four years since her diagnosis and has not experienced a recurrence.
She now undergoes skin checks with a dermatologist every six months and shares her story annually as a reminder to others.
An Australian woman has issued a warning to others to get their skin checked after an ‘innocent-looking’ mark on her leg (pictured) turned out to be melanoma when she was just 27
‘Don’t think it won’t happen to you. Don’t think you’re too young. Don’t think that freckle or mole is probably fine if you are worried about it.
‘Just go and get it checked.’
When another Reddit user asked what had initially made her suspicious, the woman revealed the mark had begun changing colour more than an ordinary freckle would, and had an uneven border.
Her experience quickly struck a nerve with Australians, with the discussion quickly filling with stories from others who had experienced their own skin cancer scares.
One commenter revealed his late wife had specifically requested a biopsy of a mole after initially being reassured by her GP.
The biopsy subsequently revealed melanoma, and she died from the disease just two years later.
‘I encourage everyone I know to get yearly skin checks,’ he wrote.
Another woman said she was preparing to have a melanoma removed from her shoulder, despite the spot looking ‘rather innocuous’.
The woman, now 31, revealed she initially struggled to convince doctors something wasn’t right before the seemingly innocent spot was eventually diagnosed as melanoma in situ – the earliest stage of melanoma, when abnormal cells remain confined to the outermost layer of the skin
‘But aren’t freckles like that normal? How can I tell if it’s something worth checking out?’ one asked.
The confusion is understandable, given potentially concerning spots do not always look dramatically different from other freckles or moles.
Cancer Council Australia advises people to become familiar with their skin and watch for new spots or changes to existing ones, including changes in size, shape, colour or texture.
The ABCDE guide can also help identify potential warning signs like asymmetry, an irregular border, variations in colour, increasing diameter and a spot that is evolving or changing over time.
Importantly, skin cancer can also develop in areas that receive little or no obvious sun exposure, including the soles of the feet, between the fingers and toes and underneath the nails.
‘I have one where my pants sit, which shouldn’t really get any light at all,’ a follower shared.
One woman, who recently underwent her first skin cancer check at 40, said she was surprised to be told she didn’t need yearly checks because she had olive skin, particularly as she lives on the Sunshine Coast.
‘All skin can get skin cancer or melanoma,’ another answered.
Cancer Council Australia advises people to become familiar with their skin and watch for new spots or changes to existing ones, including changes in size, shape, colour or texture
Cancer Council Australia does not recommend population-wide melanoma screening on a fixed schedule for everyone.
Instead, people are encouraged to discuss their individual risk with a doctor, while those at higher risk may be advised to undergo more regular clinical examinations.
Anyone who notices a new or changing lesion, or has concerns about a particular spot, is advised to seek medical advice rather than waiting for a routine check.
Several younger Australians shared their experiences in the discussion, challenging the assumption melanoma is something only older people need to worry about.
One 33-year-old said they had recently been diagnosed with the same melanoma in situ, adding that skin checks ‘are always a good idea and you’re never too young!’
And for some, the original post provided exactly the push they needed.
‘I booked a check as soon as I saw your post,’ one person told the woman, explaining they had been putting it off because it was difficult to get time away from work.
‘Your post worked. Looking into places to get the family checked. Thank you.’
Cancer Council Australia stresses that spotting a skin change does not necessarily mean it is cancer.
However, because melanoma can appear as either a new spot or an existing spot that changes, people are encouraged to know what is normal for their skin and seek medical advice when something looks or feels different.
