A mum has warned people against using sunbeds after receiving a devastating skin cancer diagnosis despite having no visible moles.
Melissa Young, 44, said there were no signs of any changes to her body before discovering she had stage three melanoma.
The Scott, from Kirkcaldy, found a small lump under her arm after catching coronavirus last September and suffering from a high temperature.
Doctors confirmed the incurable condition in December after her GP sent her for a scan and mammogram.
By the time Melissa's cancer was spotted, the disease had already spread to her lymph nodes, located between two arteries making it impossible to operate.
She told the Daily 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."
Despite doctors being unable to find what had caused the cancer, Melissa would use sunbeds regularly as she would go for a tan twice-a-week.
She is now calling on others to stop using sunbeds following her diagnosis.
"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," she said.
"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 has suffered significant side effects, including hormonal changes and muscle aches.
The mum is desperate to make precious memories with her husband Peter, 41, son Kurt, 28, and 10-year-old daughter Ellie 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.
