A beautician shares her story of discovering that a seemingly harmless white spot on her lip was actually skin cancer. Melissa Floss, 52, from Western Australia, recounted her journey to FEMAIL, revealing that despite visiting multiple medical professionals, it wasn’t until she persisted for a proper diagnosis that the issue was identified. Despite being dismissed by her doctor and dentist initially, Melissa’s instincts led her to seek further evaluation.
Melissa felt like she was being brushed off, so sought out a third opinion from another doctor.
At 52 years old, Melissa Floss sought medical attention upon discovering a white spot on her lip (located visibly on the lower left side). Despite her concerns, she was reassured by her doctor that “it was nothing.”
Fortunately, the cancer hadn’t reached her bone, allowing Melissa to retain her lower jaw (the spot is visible on the right side of her lower lip).
“If she had dismissed it as nothing, I might have ceased my inquiries,” she remarked. However, this doctor took her concerns seriously and did not brush her off.
Instead, they utilized a specialized tool to meticulously examine the spot on Melissa’s lip, initially appearing as a lighter patch of rough skin, and promptly referred her to a dermatologist.
“The doctor immediately diagnosed it as skin cancer, although uncertain about its progression,” she recounted.
Identified as squamous cell skin cancer, while not immediately life-threatening, its untreated progression could have resulted in severe complications and spread.
“I was informed it had infiltrated my tissue, and if it had progressed further, jaw removal might have been necessary,” she explained.
Fearing the worst, Melissa opted to pay out of pocket for the expertise of the best surgeon she could find, unwilling to endure the lengthy public waiting list.
On the morning of her surgery, doctors cautioned her that she might awaken without her lower jaw.
Being in the beauty industry, Melissa has encountered dubious spots on clients before, which encouraged her to persist.
Months later, Melissa found herself rushed into surgery, her main concern being whether the cancer had spread to her bone. As they wheeled her into the operating room, thoughts of her career in the beauty industry and the importance of her face flooded her mind.
“My face is everything in my line of work,” she reflected.
Hours later, upon regaining consciousness, her first request was to see her face. Despite the difficulty in viewing it amidst the bandages and dressings, she was relieved to find her jaw intact.
“It was difficult to look at, but I was grateful to still have my jaw,” she recalled.
The tumor measured just 1.7cm by 1.6cm, and its complete removal with a sufficient margin spared her from further treatments.
Throughout her decades in the beauty industry, Melissa has cautioned numerous clients about suspicious spots, drawing from her own experience.
Upon closer examination, doctors confirmed it was indeed cancerous. Many individuals have expressed gratitude for Melissa’s vigilance, returning to thank her for raising the alarm.
“While I can’t provide diagnoses, if something appears concerning, I advise them to consider getting it checked for peace of mind,” she explained.
Her own journey has reinforced her persistence.
“If you feel something isn’t right and you’re continuously dismissed, seek a second or third opinion,” she advised.
Now, she prioritizes regular mole mapping to monitor her body closely, refusing to take any more chances.
Melissa’s experience underscores the growing importance of utilizing beauty therapists and aestheticians in screening for potentially fatal melanomas and skin cancers. Professionals argue that this could alleviate strain on an already burdened healthcare system.
Melissa admitted that had the third health professional dismissed her concerns, she would have likely disregarded the white spot altogether.
Sydney-based skin genomics and aesthetics specialist Stefan Mazy, CEO of DermR Health Solutions, emphasized the pivotal role of beauty therapists and aestheticians in potentially saving lives through their vigilance.
“Professionals in beauty, anti-aging, and hairdressing are uniquely positioned to detect skin irregularities on a client’s face, neck, ears, and scalp during routine appointments,” Mr. Mazy noted. “Spending up to an hour in direct contact with the client’s skin multiple times a year, they possess an intimate understanding and access to hard-to-see areas, often surpassing that of doctors or dermatologists.”
With over 15 years of experience in aesthetics, specializing in skin genomics training and education, and more than five years dedicated specifically to skin cancer and genomics, Mr. Mazy is developing a new skin cancer diagnostic tool. This innovation will empower aestheticians, nurses, and allied health professionals to screen suspicious lesions.
“A therapist’s recognition of a suspicious spot could be the decisive factor in someone’s survival,” he emphasized. “Early detection, crucial for successful treatment, is directly linked to high survival rates, with 90 percent of melanomas treatable if detected early.”
Maria Enna-Cocciolone, CEO of Australian skincare brand O Cosmedics, and her team prioritize therapist education not only on products but also on skin health. She acknowledges numerous therapists who have successfully identified melanomas, underscoring the importance of ongoing education and vigilance within the industry.
“A therapist’s intervention can mean the distinction between early detection and the tragic realization when it’s too late,” remarked Ms. Enna-Cocciolone.
“Throughout the years, I’ve encountered numerous instances where therapists have raised concerns about suspicious spots, moles, and lesions, insisting on medical clearance before proceeding with treatments or active skincare, only to have their suspicions confirmed,” she continued. “Given the breadth of treatments therapists administer, many have identified life-threatening basal cell carcinomas, thereby preventing extensive treatment and trauma associated with delayed diagnosis.”
Mr. Mazy emphasized that when a therapist identifies a suspicious spot or skin change, initiating a conversation can prompt the client to seek proper evaluation.
With Australia being the global epicenter of skin cancer, the expenses related to melanoma and other skin cancer treatments constitute a significant portion of the healthcare budget, exceeding $1.7 billion annually.
