I Went for a Skin Check-They Found Melanoma Where I'd Never Even Looked

By Simone Trainor, as told to Newsweek

Working in the beauty industry means my face is always on display. I'm constantly doing facials, filming videos, and editing close‑ups, so, when I felt a little graze on my forehead, I noticed it straight away.

It was small, slightly discolored, and I assumed it would disappear. Instead, it stayed. Then it got worse.

I booked multiple appointments to get my skin checked-something I know should be done every year. In Australia, where I live, melanoma is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer.

I knew all of that, yet I still thought, it won't happen to me. If it was going to, surely it would have by now. I haven't been a sun worshipper since my thirties.

My twenties were a different story. Back then, being tanned was everything. It made you look slimmer and feel better. I used to lather myself in oil and visit tanning beds two or three times a week. But, after giving birth to my daughter, now 21, and my son, 20, I became more conscious. I had to be sun-smart for them.

Now I'm 54, and I hadn't been to the clinic since 2022. Life got in the way-being a mom, running a business. I always had an excuse to cancel. But, when that spot on my forehead lingered for over a year, I finally went in.

Skin cancer wasn't even on my radar. I genuinely thought they'd give me a strong cream and send me home.

On April 9, the doctor did a biopsy after telling me the spot looked like basal cell carcinoma (BCC), a slow‑growing skin cancer usually caused by long‑term UV exposure.

While I was there, she did a full‑body check-and that's when she saw the spot on my hip.

I told her I'd never paid attention to it. She took a photograph and said it needed to be removed. It looked like melanoma.

I was in disbelief. I looked at the photo and thought, ‘That doesn't look good.’ I booked in to have it removed on April 15.

When I got home, it all sank in.

The following week, they confirmed it: melanoma. They removed the mole from my hip and the mark from my forehead. Then I had to go back so they could take more skin from the hip area to make sure it was fully gone.

My body even went into shock after the removal. I ended up with laryngitis but have recovered now, although I am still sore and tender.

I feel so much more relieved now and I've made it my mission to raise awareness.

I have to get skin checks every six months-once you get one, it's more likely to return.

I haven't stopped talking about it. All my colleagues have booked appointments. It's made people more aware.

You have to stay on top of these things and be more diligent.

I know you can't tell people what to do, but sunscreen really is the most important moisturizer. And, honestly, with all the fake tans available now, just use those.

My message is simple: go once a year and get checked.

Simone Trainor, 54, owns a beauty and wellness business based in Melbourne, Australia.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 7:58 AM.