Comedian Katherine Ryan revealed today that she has the deadliest form of skin cancer, after doctors twice told her there was nothing to worry about.
This is the second time she has faced this disease, after having a cancerous mole removed from her leg at the age of 21.
In the latest episode of her podcast Telling Everyone Everything, the 41-year-old confessed that she had sought medical help after noticing a strange mole on her arm.
After insisting that the mole be biopsied—despite the doctor's assurances that it was normal—she received a call confirming that it was in the early stages of melanoma.
Previously, Katherine had also visited a private doctor, who, after a seven-minute consultation that cost £300, told her it was not cancer.
"It's unbelievable to think what could have happened if I hadn't been persistent—and I will continue to be persistent," she said - GazetaExpress reports.
"If I hadn't insisted, if I had accepted the first answer and moved forward, I would have had the melanoma growing and spreading, and who knows where it would have gone."
Melanoma: The Deadliest Skin Cancer
Melanoma is one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer, causing 80% of deaths from this disease, despite only accounting for 1% of overall cases.
However, if diagnosed in the early stages, melanoma is highly treatable, so experts advise people to be vigilant for possible signs.
Melanoma cases have increased by almost 30% in the last decade, largely due to excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun or tanning beds.
Here, dermatologists explain the early signs of skin cancer that you need to know to protect yourself.
Warning signs of melanoma according to dermatologists
1. Asymmetrical moles
Dermatologists follow the rule ABCDE to diagnose melanoma, where A stands for Asymmetry.
Melanomas have an irregular shape and uneven edges, unlike common moles, which are round.
Dr. Nayoung Lee from NYU Langone Health says: “If you can’t fold the mole in half and the edges don’t match, it could be melanoma.”
2. Irregular borders
Normal moles have neat, smooth edges, while melanomas often have jagged or fuzzy borders.
3. Uneven colors
Color (C in the ABCDE rule) is a strong indicator of melanoma.
Healthy moles are usually a single color, from light brown to pink or flesh-colored.
A suspicious mole may contain several different shades, such as brown, black, red, pink, or purple.
4. Size larger than a pea
Melanomas are usually larger than a pea or a pencil eraser (about 6mm).
Dr. Zaineb Makhzoumi from University of Maryland says: "If a mole is larger than a pencil eraser and has other signs of melanoma, it should be checked by a dermatologist."
5. Changes over time
Benign moles usually shrink or disappear, while melanomas grow, darken, or become higher over time.
Melanoma initially spreads horizontally, taking years to become aggressive. In the advanced stage, it begins to grow vertically, forming a tumor that can spread to other organs.
6. Moles that bleed or are scaly
These often appear on sun-exposed areas, such as the face or head.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) It is a form of cancer that causes rough, scaly patches that may bleed or become ulcerated.
7. Dark spots in the genital areas
Melanoma can appear as dark spots on the skin. mouth, nose, vagina, anus or on the fingers and toes.
This rare and aggressive form of cancer is not related to sun exposure and may be influenced by HPV (human papillomavirus).
8. Waxy or shiny bumps on the skin
Basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, usually looks like a shiny, smooth, or waxy-looking lump.
This usually appears on sun-exposed areas, such as the hands, neck, and arms.
"If you spread the edges of a mole and it looks shiny or like a pearl, it's most likely a basal cell carcinoma," he says. Dr. Makhzoumi.
Conclusion: Regular checkups save lives
Experts advise to do regular skin checks and seek medical attention for any suspicious changes.
Skin cancer is very treatable if detected early, so Observing warning signs is vital for its prevention and treatment. /Express newspaper/
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