Mother-of-two Rebecca Dance, from Berkshire, was diagnosed with malignant melanoma aged 39.
She noticed a suspicious mole on her back and was referred by her GP to hospital, where it was removed.
Now aged 44, she says she believes the surgery saved her life. The cancer was caught at the earliest stage before it had chance to spread.
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and, untreated, can be deadly.
“My whole life flashed in front of me because I just thought, ‘Oh my God, I’ve got cancer.’
“I was in complete shock. I knew what melanoma was and that it was the worst type of skin cancer that can spread to your organs,” she told BBC News.
“I tried to live life as normal as I could between the diagnosis and surgery, but it was weighing on my mind. I’m a single parent and my worst fear was dying.”
She says there is a misconception that skin cancer only happens to people who use sunbeds or sunbathe.
“I’ve got very pale skin and a lot of moles so I am at higher risk already. I’m always really careful in the sun.
“The sun makes people happy – of course it does. But I’ll always be extra careful, use factor 50 suncream and cover up.”
She advises people to regularly look for any skin changes and get them checked: “Don’t delay speaking to your GP if you notice anything.”
