A mum has warned against using sunbeds after she was diagnosed with skin cancer despite not having moles or showing any signs of skin changes. Melissa Young was told she had Stage 3 melanoma.
In September 2021, she caught coronavirus, and had a high temperature and sweats. This led to her finding a lump in her armpit and she called her GP to get it looked at.
The 44-year-old was sent for a mammogram and a scan, which eventually detected the advanced cancer in December. By the time it was caught, the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes, the Daily Record reports.
Melissa said although doctors were unable to pinpoint exactly what caused the cancer, she would often use sunbeds twice a week in the summer, and has now urged people to avoid them. She told the Record: "I was so shocked when I got the diagnosis as I didn't have a mole or any skin problems.
"I found the lump in my underarm while I had Covid, but I have no idea how long I'd had it for. If I hadn't caught coronavirus, I probably wouldn't have noticed it. The doctors aren't sure how it has developed but I would use sunbeds in summer twice a week.
"I wouldn't touch them now. Just use fake tan and be safe. Always wear sun cream when you are out in the sun. Just protect your skin. You can have skin cancer and not have any of the usual symptoms. It's really scary.
"The dermatologist actually said they couldn't see any skin damage so I had no symptoms, no skin damage, and I still ended up with skin cancer." Melissa's tumour under her arm is located between two arteries, making it impossible to operate. She is now on life-prolonging immunotherapy which she receives once a month - but she has suffered significant side effects, including hormonal changes and muscle aches.
She is now desperate to make precious memories with husband Peter, 41, son Kurt, 28, and daughter Ellie, 10, so they have fond times to cherish when she is no longer here. Kurt is taking on the three peak challenge to raise funds so the family can fulfil Melissa's dream of going on a safari in Africa and take Ellie to Disneyland to give her a magical experience.
