Mum, 50, begs Aussies to wear sunscreen after a tiny mark on her nose ended up being skin cancer

Mum, 50, begs Aussies to wear sunscreen even in winter after a tiny mark on her nose ended up being skin cancer – as she shares the horror surgery scars left after removing it

Tracy Warncken took to Facebook to share her post-surgery facial scars
The 50-year-old from South Australia had a basal cell carcinoma removed
A huge amount of skin from her nose had to be replaced with some from her ear
Her message to young Australians was to wear sunscreen everyday

By Matilda Rudd For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 06:49 BST, 13 June 2022 | Updated: 06:49 BST, 13 June 2022

An Australian mother has stressed the need to wear sunscreen even in winter after doctors discovered a skin cancer – disguised as a ‘tiny mark’ – on the end of her nose.

Tracy Warncken, who lives in South Australia, took to Facebook on June 10 to beg unsuspecting sun-lovers to cover their bodies in SPF50+ everyday to avoid her same fate.

‘This is not a pity post. I’m just trying to spread the word as a 50-year-old mum to all of you gorgeous people,’ she said.

‘PLEASE WEAR SUNSCREEN and protect your skin as much as possible. If you’re out exercising, wear sports variety. If you’re swimming, wear water-resistant variety.

Tracy Warncken, who lives in South Australia, took to Facebook on June 10 to beg unsuspecting sun-lovers to cover their bodies in SPF50+ everyday to avoid her same fate

Tracy had a ‘tiny little dot’ on her nose that she mistook for a pimple before a routine skin check showed it was actually a basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer that most often develops on areas of skin exposed to the sun, such as the face

‘And reapply. If it’s sunny. Wear sunscreen. If it’s cloudy. Wear sunscreen. If it’s windy. Wear sunscreen. If you’re only going to be outside for a short time. Wear sunscreen. If you’re out in the snow. Wear sunscreen.

‘I have olive skin. Wear sunscreen.’

‘So I had it removed but it needed a skin graft, taken from behind my ear. At the same time I had one from beside my eye and one on my collarbone removed,’ she said

‘So I had it removed but it needed a skin graft, taken from behind my ear. At the same time I had one from beside my eye and one on my collarbone removed,’ she said.

‘Fast forward six months and at a follow up skin check the report showed that they cannot be sure they got it all.

‘So on Wednesday I underwent MOHS surgery to remove it. This is a process where the skin removed is checked in the lab on site and more and more is removed until it is all gone.

Tracy shared images of what her face looked like on day two after the MOHS surgery, with a black eye, thick purple line of stitches on her face and ear and swollen cheeks

Melanoma: The most dangerous form of skin cancer

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It happens after the DNA in skin cells is damaged (typically due to harmful UV rays) and then not repaired so it triggers mutations that can form malignant tumours.

Causes

Sun exposure: UV and UVB rays from the sun and tanning beds are harmful to the skin
Moles: The more moles you have, the greater the risk for getting melanoma
Skin type: Fairer skin has a higher risk for getting melanoma
Hair colour: Red heads are more at risk than others
Personal history: If you’ve had melanoma once, then you are more likely to get it again
Family history: If previous relatives have been diagnosed, then that increases your risk

Treatment

This can be done by removing the entire section of the tumor or by the surgeon removing the skin layer by layer. When a surgeon removes it layer by layer, this helps them figure out exactly where the cancer stops so they don’t have to remove more skin than is necessary.

The patient can decide to use a skin graft if the surgery has left behind discoloration or an indent.

Immunotherapy, radiation treatment or chemotherapy:

This is needed if the cancer reaches stage III or IV. That means that the cancerous cells have spread to the lymph nodes or other organs in the body.

Prevention

Use sunscreen and do not burn
Avoid tanning outside and in beds
Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside
Keep newborns out of the sun
Examine your skin every month
See your physician every year for a skin exam

Source: Skin Cancer Foundation and American Cancer Society

‘I have ended up with a piece of cartilage from my ear in my nose and quite a bit of “work” done to remove it.’

Tracy shared images of what her face looked like on day two after the MOHS surgery, with a black eye, thick purple line of stitches on her face and ear and swollen cheeks.

‘Today is day two so it’s looking it’s worst. Sorry if I’ve turned you off your food today but if nothing else PLEASE WEAR SUNSCREEN,’ she said.

Melanoma is the most common cancer for the 20 to 39 age group to get in Australia, partly because of our outdoor lifestyle and harsh climate

‘I’m lucky. This is not a melanoma and now that it’s been treated, should be the end of it.’

Melanoma is the most common cancer for the 20 to 39 age group to get in Australia, partly because of our outdoor lifestyle and harsh climate.

It happens after the DNA in skin cells is damaged (typically due to harmful UV rays) and then not repaired so it triggers mutations that can form malignant tumours.

What are the warning signs of melanoma?

The first five letters of the alphabet are a guide to help you recognise the warning signs of melanoma.

A is for Asymmetry. Most melanomas are asymmetrical. If you draw a line through the middle of the lesion, the two halves don’t match, so it looks different from a round to oval and symmetrical common mole.

B is for Border. Melanoma borders tend to be uneven and may have scalloped or notched edges, while common moles tend to have smoother, more even borders.

C is for Colour. Multiple colours are a warning sign. While benign moles are usually a single shade of brown, a melanoma may have different shades of brown, tan or black. As it grows, the colours red, white or blue may also appear.

D is for Diameter or Dark. While it’s ideal to detect a melanoma when it is small, it’s a warning sign if a lesion is the size of a pencil eraser (about 6 mm, or ¼ inch in diameter) or larger. Some experts say it is also important to look for any lesion, no matter what size, that is darker than others. Rare, amelanotic melanomas are colourless.

E is for Evolving. Any change in size, shape, colour or elevation of a spot on your skin, or any new symptom in it, such as bleeding, itching or crusting, may be a warning sign of melanoma.

Source: Skincancer.org

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