

The tears just started to flow,' she says.Įarlier this year, a shocking report revealed that skin cancer is nearly as common as all other cancers put together in the UK, with more than 200,000 cases of basal cell carcinomas diagnosed each year.Ĭases of this form of cancer, which is treatable by surgery, have risen by 80 per cent in a decade. 'Afterwards, my nose was a swollen, hideous, bloody blob with black stitches.

She underwent a procedure under local anaesthetic that involved seven injections and more than 20 stitches to cover the 6mm-by-6mm wound site. It's time-consuming, but it limits scarring and there is a low recurrence rate.Īfter the tumour was removed, Joy was instructed to go to New York University hospital, where a plastic surgeon was standing by. In this procedure, a surgeon removes thin layers of skin and tissue, which are examined under a microscope, until only healthy cells remain. The biopsy confirmed a squamous cell carcinoma and she underwent Mohs surgery, a specialised microscopic operation ideal for patients with this type of skin cancer. 'However, apparently skin damage even from many years ago can cause skin cancer.'Īs she was due in the U.S., Joy set up an urgent biopsy appointment at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York. 'I had got burnt before, in my teens, but have protected my face with products containing sun protection for many years. 'This came as a huge shock, especially considering the fact I'd avoided the sun for many years,' says Joy. Upon observation, he suspected Joy's apparent spot was actually a squamous cell carcinoma - the second most common form of skin cancer after basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and wanted a biopsy taken to confirm this. Joy was initially seen in early January by a skin cancer dermatologist at the Institute of Tumours in Milan. Plus, due to the demands of my job, I had to be in Milan and then New York with work in the new year.' 'It was just days before Christmas and getting an emergency appointment for a biopsy was a nightmare. 'I was horrified and in a panic,' says Joy. After the tumour was removed, Joy was instructed to go to New York to see a plastic surgeon
