Influencer Reveals How Routine Check Up Diagnosed Her Skin Cancer

Katrina Chan, a 30-year-old influencer from Sydney, recently shared a scary experience with skin cancer after a routine checkup. It all started when her friend Stephanie found a concerning mole on her foot. Worried about her own health, Katrina decided to spend $200 on her first thorough skin check.

During the checkup, doctors found a suspicious spot. Katrina's doctor suggested removing some skin for testing, and the shocking news came just two days before she expected to get stitches removed—she had melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer. The quick response meant removing the cancerous mole, but it cost over $1000, covering GP(General Practitioner) consultations, mole mapping, surgery, and follow-ups every three months.

Why Skin Health Must Be A Priority?

Now, Katrina is urging everyone to get routine skin checks and protect themselves from the sun. Even though she used sunscreen since she was young, she admits she didn't use it consistently on her body unless she was directly in the sunlight. Her story reminds us that the initial cost of a skin check is small compared to dealing with advanced skin cancer both financially and health-wise.

Katrina thought her olive skin would protect her from the sun's harm, but she was wrong. She started putting sunscreen on her face daily at 25 but neglected her body, only using it when directly exposed to sunlight. This shows that everyone, no matter their skin type or colour, needs comprehensive sun protection.

Her call for skin checks is crucial, especially in Australia, where over 16,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with skin cancer in 2024. The Melanoma Institute Australia is pushing for more affordable screenings, especially for those with a family history or fairer skin.

The main cause of skin cancer is too much exposure to the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These rays can change cell structure, leading to abnormal replication—a sign of cancer. The earliest symptom is often a noticeable change in the colour of a specific area of the skin.

Katrina Chan's story is a strong reminder to prioritize routine skin checks and sun protection. Her experience highlights that the upfront cost of prevention is much smaller than the potential consequences of undiagnosed and untreated skin cancer. With skin cancer cases on the rise, advocating for affordable screenings is vital to protect everyone, especially those at higher risk.