‘Sunbeds gave me cancer’ - Leamington survivor warns of dangers

A former tanning salon owner, Laura Creane was given the shock of her life when she was diagnosed with malignant melanoma three years ago after spotting a black mole on her stomach.

The 28-year-old, who lives in Weston-under-Wetherly and now works at a photography lab in Warwick, said: “I was told I had to see an emergency dermatologist so the skin could be removed within 48 hours.

“Two weeks later I was given the news that I had malignant melanoma, but I did not realise I had cancer. When the doctor said, ‘You do know it’s cancer, don’t you?’, I honestly did not know.

“I was told it was caused by going on sunbeds.”

Looking back on how the news hit her, Ms Creane said: “I didn’t feel like it was happening to me. I didn’t like to use the word ‘cancer’ because it seemed like I was being too dramatic.”

Ms Creane underwent surgery to remove the cancerous cells. She said: “The doctors said I was really lucky because it had been caught at a very early stage.

“Skin cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer and a lot of people are only diagnosed when it has already spread further.”

Happily, Ms Creane was last month given the ‘all clear’ - but the experience has shaken her.

She said: “During that two-week period while I was waiting for a diagnosis, I thought about all of the things I had not yet done.

“So I went to Mexico and New York, completed a fashion course and have just been going for things. You don’t know what is around the corner.

“My parents and sister also used to like going on sun holidays, but this has scared them too and now they are really careful.”

Ms Creane has been so put off going out in the sun that she has unfortunately developed a deficiency of vitamin D, which people normally take in during exposure to the sun.

Now a keen fundraiser for the British Skin Foundation, Ms Creane volunteered to get involved in a television programme about the dangers of tanning salons.

She said: “I do feel a bit embarrassed about being on TV, but when it’s something you are passionate about, it’s different.

“When you have a mole, get it checked - don’t wait. And be careful in the sun.”

Ms Creane appeared in Last Chance Salon on the Sky channel TLC yesterday (May 2), but viewers can still watch it on Sky, Virgin Media and BT Vision’s ‘on demand’ services.

To celebrate her ‘all clear’ diagnosis, she is holding a ‘Zoo night’ to raise funds for the British Skin Foundation at Ei8ht bar in High Street, Leamington, on June 15 at at 7.30pm. Animal fancy dress is encouraged and there will be ‘jungle’ cocktails, a raffle, face painting and cake. For tickets, email [email protected] and to donate to the cause, text ‘WILD81 £2’ (or any other amount) to 70070.