I didn’t know the risks – then I noticed a growth on my back
Jacqui Carruthers, 39, from Bearsden, was an avid sunbather for nearly a decade – but her quest for the perfect tan ended up in a skin cancer nightmare. “I grew up around sun-worshippers, my mum and dad loved tanning,” she explained. “Everyone I knew seemed to be working on their tan. “If you had bronzed skin, you were complimented. People would say you looked good. “So when I was 16 I began lying in the sun and using sunbeds regularly. I wasn’t aware of the danger at the time, but then no one was. “I was still at school and going to sunbed parlours to use the coin-operated sunbeds. “In those days, you could use them as long as you wanted – it’s not like the staff were going to stop you.” After around eight years of using sunbeds and lounging in the sunshine on holiday, Jacqui stopped after noticing a strange growth on her back. She said: “When I was 29, not long after I’d had my son, I noticed a mole on the skin over my right shoulder blade. I went to my GP but was told that it was normal to have a mole and it was probably something to do with my pregnancy. “I knew there was something not right about it, so pushed to see an expert. “I was sent to the dermatology clinic and, again, the nurse said there was nothing wrong. “I told her I felt there was something really wrong, and eventually she called for the consultant.” Doctors carried out a pinch biopsy, where a portion of cells are removed and examined, and the test revealed Jacqui had developed a melanoma, due to lengthy sun exposure. A further procedure removed a 10cm by 6cm area from her shoulder. “Luckily, my melanoma wasn’t too deep — it was only 0.6mm,” said Jacqui. “There can be complications if it’s much deeper. However, we caught it before it spread to my lymph nodes, thankfully. “I went for a five-year check-up, and I’ve had mole maps done of my skin, so we can see if there are any new growths.” Thankfully, there has been no further sign of melanomas, and Jacqui is now vigilant about how much sun her family are exposed to. “These days I’m a lot more careful when I go out into the sun,” she added. “My partner, David, is a red-headed Glaswegian who is like a vampire – he can’t really go out into direct sunlight anyway! “I’m also very careful about my son, Jude – he gets plenty of sunblock if he’s out in the sun at all.”