An Australian woman’s alarming discovery that a seemingly harmless “pimple” on her forehead was actually cancer has reignited calls for sun safety as summer approaches. Rachel Olivia, 32, initially dismissed the red spot near her hairline as an ordinary blemish—an oversight that left her battling a type of skin cancer two years later.
“It felt as though it had appeared overnight,” Rachel shared with news.com.au, recounting her disbelief when the mark, which never healed, turned out to be basal cell carcinoma (BCC).
Rachel’s concerns were initially brushed aside by a doctor who attributed the persistent mark to a “pimple she’d squeezed too hard.” After the area failed to heal—even after being frozen off—Rachel trusted her instincts and sought a second opinion. Specialists conducted a biopsy and delivered the shocking news.
“I’ve never been someone to tan or sit in the sun. I’m known among my friends and family for being the sun smart one,” Rachel said. “Unfortunately, I did have a few bad burns as a teenager, and that’s all it takes.”
BCC, often appearing as a white lump or scaly patch, is the most common type of skin cancer. Though not as deadly as melanoma, it can cause significant damage if left untreated.
Rachel was prescribed Aldara, a topical chemotherapy cream, to treat the carcinoma. However, her journey has been anything but easy.
“I have a baby, so I had to be super careful not to get the cream on her during the night when I needed to wear it,” she explained. The treatment caused the affected area to scab heavily, making day-to-day activities challenging. “It’s so hard to look after it with a baby and not get it knocked.”
Rachel has turned her experience into a public campaign, sharing her journey online to raise awareness about sun safety. Her posts have resonated with many, prompting people to take action.
“I’ve booked my first skin check because of your content,” one follower commented. Another said, “Your video made me make that appointment. If I had left it for my next yearly check, it could have been much worse.”
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer globally.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
