There are some powerful moments in your clinical practice that reaffirm exactly why we do what we do, moments that go beyond aesthetics and beyond skin-deep beauty. This story is one of those moments. It was a typical autumn day in clinic. As always, our laser hair removal treatments were in full swing, with patients preparing early for the following summer. Then something happened that reminded me that what we do in the clinic goes far beyond beauty.
I was treating one of our regular patients, Ffyona,someone I’ve seen plenty of times before. We were chatting away, putting the world to rights, but then something caught my eye. On her skin, in an area that had never quite stood out to me before, was a mole that I just didn’t like the look of.
And when I say “didn’t like the look of,” I don’t mean that in a cosmetic sense. I mean that in a clinical, gut-instinct way that only an NHS nurse will understand… Something was off.
Hopefully, you’ll never need this information, but that doesn’t take away from how important it is to know.
Here are five key things about the mole that immediately raised red flags for me:
• It was large.
• It had varied pigmentation.
• It had different shades and colours within it.
• It was asymmetrical.
• It had changed over time.
• and most concerning, a second mole had appeared next to it.
Now, I’m not a dermatologist, but I’ve had enough training and experience in skin to know what to look out for, and this mole ticked several of the warning boxes we’re taught to pay attention to.
What concerned me even more was that Ffyona told me she’d had it checked before. Multiple medical professionals had reassured her that it was “fine.”
But I couldn’t let it go. I asked her to get it checked again urgently…And thank goodness she did.
Shortly after our appointment, Ffyona saw Dr Nicole at Dr Nicole Dermatology. From there, she was swiftly referred to LCAS plastic surgery, where she was properly assessed and treated.
The diagnosis was Melanoma.
Thankfully, because she acted quickly, it was caught in time. Ffyona was able to have the area removed, and now she lives with a scar, and a story that could help save someone else’s life.
Why This Matters: Especially During Skin Cancer Awareness Month
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and it felt right to share Ffyona’s experience again. Her story isn’t rare. Many people, especially women, are told they’re overreacting or “being dramatic” when something feels off. But your body knows. And your instincts matter.
Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, and it’s one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer. But when caught early, it’s highly curable. Treatments for later-stage melanoma have come a long way, but the truth is, early detection is still our best weapon. This experience has reminded me of just how important it is to really look at our skin. To be aware of changes. To question what we’ve been told. And to push for further checks when something doesn’t feel right.
*It would be good to add here the stats (include references) of melanoma in the UK. It’s higher in men than women, often believed due to men not protecting their skin and having more outdoor jobs.
Everyone’s skin is unique. We each have our own little constellation of freckles, birthmarks, and moles scattered across our bodies, and most of them are harmless. But melanoma often doesn’t follow the rules.
One of the most helpful things to remember when checking your skin is the “ugly duckling” rule. The concept is simple: most of your moles will look pretty similar to one another. If one stands out, if it looks different, darker, larger, or just odd, get it checked!
Other signs to watch for include:
- Asymmetry – One half doesn’t match the other.
- Border – Edges that are irregular, ragged, or blurred.
- Colour – A mix of colours or very dark pigmentation.
- Diameter – Anything larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser).
- Evolving – Any change in size, shape, colour, or symptoms like bleeding or itching.
These ABCDEs are used by dermatologists worldwide to assess moles. But the “ugly duckling” rule is often even more powerful, especially if you know your skin well.
Spotting skin cancer early is vital. But so is preventing it in the first place. If you’re anything like me (or Ffyona), you might have spent a lot of time in the sun growing up, often without SPF. Back then, we didn’t know the risks as well as we do now. But we do now. And we can do better.
Wear SPF every single day, yes, even in winter, and yes, even when it’s cloudy. UVA rays are present all year round and can penetrate glass, meaning you’re exposed even indoors or in the car. And when you are out in the sun Reapply SPF every couple of hours, wear a hat, sit in the shade, and check your skin regularly!
If you’ve got a mole or skin lesion you’re unsure about, please don’t wait. Book in with your GP, or a dermatologist, l. Trust your gut, it could save your life.
If you are local to Hale, you’ll find Kleyn Healthcare at Hale Private Clinic. A Private GP service with access to dermatologists and surgeons who can help ensure you are heard and seen promptly
And if you’re ever in the clinic with me or my team, know that we are looking at everything, not just your treatment area, because your health always comes first.