Emma’s Story

During 2012, aged just 23 years old Emma was diagnosed with stage 1a melanoma which was removed with surgery. She, unfortunately, then went on to have another stage 1a melanoma aged 29 years old which was removed after her second pregnancy. She has shared her story to show others how important it is not to use sunbeds and to wear factor 30+ SPF. She wants people to understand this can happen to anyone and at a young age too.

“I was 23 and 29. I’m now 35 and I worry about my future every day. Cancer doesn’t end when it gets cut out. It’s not a risk worth taking.”

As a young teenager, I always wanted a tan. I have fair skin and envied those who came back from their summer holidays with a glowing tan.

I would then use a low SPF on holiday, hoping to tan but would just burn.

I was 16 when I used my first sunbed. I never used them consistently, but I would have a couple of sessions a week for a while before going on holiday to get a ‘base tan’, I did also burn thinking that it would turn to a tan. For information on sunbeds, click here.

“As I approached 20, I started to learn more about the dangers of sunbeds and turned to fake tan.”

As I approached 20, I started to learn more about the dangers of sunbeds and turned to fake tan. I found this to be a much better way to tan and never tried to get a ‘natural’ tan again. I thought this was the end of any sun damage and because I was so young, there was no way that I’d already put myself in danger.

When I was 23, I was (ironically), applying suncream whilst on holiday and noticed what I thought was a drop of melted chocolate on my stomach. I quickly realised it was one of my moles that had gone darker very quickly. I got a doctor’s appointment as soon as I got home. After having it removed, I was asked to come back to the hospital for my results. I assumed they were going to tell me that there were some changes and maybe it was pre-cancerous. I thought they were going to warn me of the dangers.

Unfortunately, I was told it was melanoma. The only other thing I remember about that appointment was the doctor telling me not to google melanoma. Of course, that was the first thing I did.

“My stomach sank, and I knew this was all my fault.”

Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer’, was the first sentence I read. My stomach sank and I knew this was all my fault.

I ended up having a wide local excision and ultimately being told it had all been taken away. Thankfully, I started to accept what I’d been through and get on with my life.

I kept up with my checkups and would quite often have the odd mole removed.

“I was now a mother of two and they were relying on me to provide for them. To stay alive for them.”

When I was 28, I was pregnant and there was a mole of concern on the side of my torso. The consultant did not want to remove it whilst I was pregnant. I then went back when I was 29 and had it removed. Unfortunately, it was my second melanoma. This time, I felt even more terrified. I was now a mother of two and they were relying on me to provide for them. To stay alive for them. I felt so guilty that I had made decisions that likely led to me having cancer. Twice.

It took me a long time to stop beating myself up over the decisions I made. I will never know for certain if I would have had melanoma any way or not, but the fact remains that I did put myself at higher risk.

“It does make me very anxious and paranoid at times, but I am working on that.”

I am very lucky that both of my melanomas were caught at an early stage so could be removed by surgery. I am very lucky to still be here. It does make me very anxious and paranoid at times, but I am working on that.

“Cancer doesn’t end when it gets cut out. It’s not a risk worth taking.”

I really want to share my story to show others how important it is not to use sunbeds and to wear factor 30+ sunscreen. I want people to understand this can happen to anyone and at a young age too. I was 23 and 29. I’m now 35 and I worry about my future every day. Cancer doesn’t end when it gets cut out. It’s not a risk worth taking.

What advice would you give to other melanoma patients?

Have someone there to support you. Talk about your worries and concerns. Help those supporting you to understand that cancer doesn’t always end even if you are told it’s gone. People often think that once it’s gone, you’re ok. But it’s ok to admit that you still don’t feel ok. Talk to and get help emotionally when you need it.

 Why is melanoma focus important to you?

It is so important to me because Melanoma Focus is raising awareness and talking about melanoma. People often dismiss melanoma as just something that can be cut out and it’s gone. As if it’s an easy cancer, but it’s not. Melanoma Focus is helping people understand the importance of awareness and research.