A SOLICITOR who has had skin cancer five times has urged people to get themselves checked – as it could save their life.
Laura Russell was 18 when she was first diagnosed with early-stage melanoma skin cancer and was successfully treated.
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She has had four recurrences in the 20 years since then – and all but
one of her melanomas have been found at the earliest stage.
But the latest one, in March 2022, was an established melanoma – a
stage later than her others – and highlights the importance of checking your own skin regularly and getting changes examined by a doctor.
Laura, 39, of Dundee, said: “I’ve always been hyper-vigilant about
checking my skin and using protection in the sun, but life had been really busy, and I hadn’t been checking myself as often as I normally would.
“I was wearing a sports top and my husband, Ryan, noticed a new mole on my back.
“As soon as I saw that it was a darker colour, I knew it was melanoma
and that it had gone much further than it had ever gone before.”
She was seen by a doctor that day and had surgery to remove the
melanoma the following week, followed by another operation five weeks later.
The results of a biopsy showed that all the cancerous cells had been removed and there was no need for further treatment.
Laura, married to Ryan, is speaking out as the Scottish Government is calling for people to ‘be the early bird’ and get checked out by their doctor if they have unusual or persistent symptoms that are not normal for them.
Spotting cancer early is really key to maximising your treatment options and means you’re more likely to live well again after treatment.
So, whether it is you who has possible symptoms, or you are worried
about a family member or friend, contact your GP practice to get it checked.
Laura was just a teenager when she was first diagnosed with skin
cancer – and has had two more recurrences in her twenties, and another two in her 30s, including the most recent one.
Today the mum-of-three self-monitors and has a hospital check-up every three months to keep on top of any changes.
Laura has had genetic tests but doesn’t appear to have a faulty gene. She knows her melanomas are not down to sun exposure as they have been found on areas not exposed to the sun.
She added: “Everyone should be checking their skin regularly.
“Know your own body, know your own skin and what’s normal for you.
“Using your phone to take pictures of your moles each month can help you keep track of any changes.
“Don’t sit and worry that you will be wasting your GP’s time – the earlier you get diagnosed, the better your treatment options and the more likely you are to have good news.”
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
DR Douglas Rigg, GP & Co-chair of the Scottish Primary Care Cancer Group urged anyone worried about symptoms that are unusual for them to contact their GP – and let them help.
He said: “Have you noticed unexplained weight loss or bleeding, or an unusual lump maybe? Is there something worrying you that doesn’t feel
right?
“Don’t try to ignore it, be worried about bothering your doctor or feeling embarrassed. Your GP practice want to know.
“For most people it won’t be anything serious, such as cancer, but even if it is, finding cancer earlier can mean more treatments are available, giving you a better chance of living well again.
“So please contact your GP practice and let us help you.”
Here are some of the key symptoms to look out for:
– Very heavy night sweats
– Fatigue
– Unexplained bleeding or bruising
– Unexplained pain or ache
– Unexplained weight loss
– An unusual lump or swelling anywhere on your body
– A new mole or changes to a mole
– Skin changes or a sore that won’t heal