Darcy Shaw, a 26-year-old teacher from Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, is using her own experience with skin cancer to raise awareness about the importance of recognizing early warning signs. Darcy was just 21 years old when her mother noticed that a mole on her collarbone had become darker and larger during a visit home from college. Although his doctor initially ignored him, Darcy’s perseverance eventually led to a life-saving diagnosis.
“It was my mom who noticed that the mole was changing and encouraged me to go to the doctor,” Darcy recalls. “At first I felt silly bringing it up, not knowing that changing moles could indicate cancer.” At his initial appointment, his concerns were dismissed. “My GP thought there was nothing to worry about,” he said. The mirrorbut she didn’t give up.
Monitoring her mole through photographs, Darcy noticed that it continued to change, prompting her to seek another medical opinion. This time, her doctor referred her to Salford Royal Hospital, where a biopsy confirmed the mole was melanoma. “I had never heard of the word melanoma before, so when the doctor told me I had it, I didn’t know what it meant,” Darcy said. She faced the diagnosis alone, but was grateful for the support of a senior nurse at Teenage Cancer Trust who provided immediate comfort and guidance.
During her treatment at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Darcy was supported by Teenage Cancer Trust, a UK charity dedicated to young cancer patients. “The doctors couldn’t pinpoint why I had skin cancer. “I am pale, I have reddish hair and I avoid the sun.” Darcy explained.expressing relief that no one suggested his lifestyle caused the condition.
After successful surgery to remove the mole, Darcy found comfort in connecting with others who had faced similar experiences. Through the Teenage Cancer Trust, she joined a Facebook group for young cancer patients and also took part in a Look Good Feel Better session, where she connected with other women facing visible scars and the emotional challenges of recovery.
While the physical signs of cancer have been addressed, Darcy admits the emotional impact remains. “I thought once I had surgery and was given the all-clear, I would be fine,” she shared, “but the scars and emotions are still there. I still have to have scans and waiting for the results makes me anxious. But I’m almost at the end of my five-year surveillance period.”
Darcy, now a passionate advocate, urges others, especially young people, to familiarize themselves with the common symptoms of cancer. “If you notice something unusual, never think that you are wasting someone’s time by having them check it,” he emphasized. “It’s easy to ignore symptoms, especially if you feel they are due to stress or a common illness. But it is very important to have something checked as soon as possible.”
Darcy highlights five key signs of cancer that we should all watch out for: unusual lumps, persistent fatigue, changes in moles, ongoing pain and unexplained weight changes.
Louise Soanes, head nurse at Teenage Cancer Trust, echoed Darcy’s message, saying: “It is essential to know your own body to detect any changes. Although cancer in young people is rare, it does happen, so knowing the signs is essential.” She encourages anyone with health problems to visit their GP and give them as much information as possible.
With statistics showing that cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death in teenagers and young adults in the UK, awareness of early symptoms could save lives.