“They told me the mole was melanoma, and I was floored – skin cancer was the last thing I had on my radar”

Skin cancer survivor shares her story to encourage others to get skin changes checked and to practise sun safety

1st May 2026: An Offaly woman is sharing her experience of being diagnosed with skin cancer to highlight the importance of getting any concerning skin changes checked out by your GP. 

Fiona White (49) is one of 11,500 people diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland every year.  

Skin cancer is Ireland’s most common cancer, and the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) expects the number of people diagnosed with skin cancer in Ireland to double by 2040.   

Fiona was diagnosed with melanoma in May 2025, after her colleagues urged her to get a mole on her forearm checked. 

Fiona, who works in a school as a special needs assistant, said: “They said they wanted me to go and get it looked at, but I wasn’t the least bit worried.”
 
After going to her GP, Fiona was referred to a dermatologist, and the mole was removed. Tests revealed it was melanoma. She then underwent a wide local excision and a lymph node biopsy and was told all the cancer had been removed.  She now goes for regular skin checks. 

Reflecting on her experience, Fiona said: “I always thought the mole was just a freckle, but it did grow in size. The colour had changed and sometimes it looked almost scaly. When I look back on it now, I realise I had all the hallmarks of it being skin cancer, but that wasn’t on my radar at all while it was happening.”
 
Fiona added that she supports the banning of sunbeds, as she briefly used them in her early 30s and thinks there needs to be more awareness around the risks of using them. 

Commenting on using sunbeds, Fiona said: “I used them a handful of times in my early 30s, and I wish I hadn’t. It significantly increases the chance of developing skin cancer, and it ages your skin – it’s not worth it. If you want a tan, use the fake tan you can get in a bottle, that’s what I use now and some of them are brilliant.”
 
Mother-of-two Fiona is sharing her story to encourage people to protect themselves and their children from the sun, as she believes sunburns she had as a child could have been a factor in her going on to develop skin cancer as an adult. 

Speaking about the risk of childhood sunburn, Fiona said: “I remember my last big sunburn was when I was 15 and I was in the Gaeltacht, I got burnt on my arms, legs, shoulders, neck and knees. I’d imagine some of the damage was done from when I was a child. I think it’s so important to make sure your children wear sunscreen and cover up so their skin is protected.”
 
Advocating for people to be Skin Smart and Sun Smart, Fiona encourages people to protect their skin and to be vigilant about any skin changes and get them checked: “You need to protect yourself. Wear high-factor SPF all year round, wear a wide-brimmed hat and seek shade where possible, wear sunglasses, cover yourself up and try to avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day. 

“I believe awareness of the measures we can take to protect our skin is key. It’s also important to pay attention to your body and get any skin changes checked – the earlier cancer is caught, the more treatable it is, and don’t put off getting a mole or skin change checked because you don’t think skin cancer can happen to you. I never thought I'd have a diagnosis of skin cancer but here we are.” 

Kevin O’Hagan, Cancer Prevention Manager at the Irish Cancer Society, said: “As Fiona’s powerful story shows, it’s important to go to your GP if you notice any skin changes. These can be a new or changing mole, a flat red spot, a firm red lump, an ulcer or spot that is tender to the touch or rough and scaly patches.  
 
“Early detection is vital – the sooner skin cancer is diagnosed, the more treatment options there are and the better the chance of cure. We want to ensure that the public are aware of the signs and symptoms of skin cancer and take action by contacting their GP if they notice any symptoms or have any concerns.” 
 
Anyone with questions or concerns about skin cancer, can contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 or supportline@irishcancer.ie  

ENDS  


Further information on skin cancer can be found here: https://www.cancer.ie/cancer-information-and-support/cancer-types/skin-cancer   

Symptoms of Skin Cancer:  

• A small lump 
• Flat, red spot 
• Firm, red lump 
• A lump or spot that is tender to touch 
• An ulcer that will not heal 
• A lump with a scaly or horny top 
• Rough, scaly patches 
• A new or changing mole 

 Sunbeds and cancer risks 

• If you use a sunbed even one time, your risk of melanoma goes up by almost 30%. 
• Your risk of being diagnosed with melanoma before you are 50 years old goes up by 75%.
• If are under 35 when you use a sunbed, your risk of melanoma goes up by almost 75%.
• If you use a sunbed even one time, your risk of developing non-melanoma cancer goes up by as much as 40%.
• Your risk of being diagnosed with non-melanoma before you are 50 years old almost doubles.

Lifetime exposure to sunlight risks 

• Regular sun holidays, working outdoors, outdoor sports or severe sunburn or blistering as a child or teenager may increase your risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer later in life.