A mum saved her daughter’s life after she spotted a tiny warning sign on her shoulder.
Kara Leece was celebrating her 30th birthday by taking a holiday in Dubai with her mum.
The pair, from Gravesend, were looking forward to a week of blue skies and sun as they lounged by the pools.
But during their getaway, Kara’s mum noticed a small mole on her back as she rubbed in suncream.
It appeared to be changing shape and colour, so she visited her GP soon after arriving home.
After seeing the mole, Kara's GP immediately referred the personal trainer to a dermatologist who removed it straight away.
Tests later revealed that Kara, who had no family history of skin cancer or melanoma and had never used a sun bed, had a fast-growing melanoma.
Thanks to her mum, they caught it very early, but had it stayed undetected it could have taken her life.
Speaking to ITV Meridian’s Tony Green, she said: "I was really, really fortunate that it hadn't spread, so I didn't need any further treatment in terms of operations.
"And ever since then, I've been having checks. Every three months. I check my lymph nodes, and check my skin.
"We were told at one appointment that if my mum hadn't noticed the mole when she did, then six months down the line, it would have been fatal.
"So yeah, it was very lucky that she had found it when she did because it was fast growing."
She’s now urging everyone to check their skin “no matter how old” and learn more about melanoma and other forms of skin cancer.
The spot was very dark and asymmetric, as well as being quite bumpy.
But Kara’s mum only knew about it because someone had spoken to her about their own skin cancer journey.
Melanoma Fund CEO Michelle Baker told the station: "She was made more aware of it, and I think this is what we need to do more of.
"Talk more about skin cancer. Talk about the risks. And if you've had it, then make people aware of the risk.
"Because this is one of the reasons why Kara's diagnosis was made.”
The Melanoma Fund said: "At the Melanoma Fund we work hard to raise awareness of sun & heat protection in sport and outdoor recreation.
"Our free resources are used by thousands of sport clubs and outdoor groups to protect the health and reduce the risk of skin cancer for their members and staff. Supported by nearly every national governing body of sport, and outdoor organisation, we’re the UK’s leading provider of sun and heat protection advice in the sector.
"Over 44 people are diagnosed with melanoma every day, and more than 410 with other forms of skin cancer, and incidence is rising rapidly. If you spend lots of time outdoors, have suffered skin cancer or lost someone to this disease, you can get involved with what we do.
"Sunguarding Outdoors is a free resource by the Melanoma Fund and supported by the Outdoor Industries Association. It contains advice and guidelines regarding all aspects of sun and heat protection when engaging in a variety of outdoor activities.
"Designed to be used by individuals, there is also a toolkit of downloadable resources for outdoor groups and clubs, to help them promote sun protection to their members, encouraging better habits, at the right time and place."
For further information visit www.melanoma-fund.co.uk
