Apsley teacher given all-clear after melanoma treatment

Two years ago, when she was 26, Grace Davies noticed a new mole on her skin and thought she should have it checked.

“I went to the doctor and they said it was fine as it looked completely benign,” the primary school teacher said. “However, it started catching on things and I grew increasingly concerned therefore they removed it.”

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The mole sample was sent off for routine testing but was revealed to be malignant, meaning Grace, from Apsley had to go to Watford General to have the deeper area beneath the cancerous mole surgically removed in a primary excision.

“It is quite scary,” she said. “I have got very fair skin so I’ve always been very cautious in the sun.

“I would really encourage people to use sunscreen daily.

“It’s such an easy thing to do and can prevent you from having to go through this really unpleasant process of being treated for cancer.”

Watford General Hospital. Credit: Will Durrant/LDRS

She attended the Royal Free Hospital to undergo tests and have skin around the mole removed to ensure no cancerous cells remained last month. Two weeks later, further tests showed that no further treatment was required.

“It’s such good news,” Grace added. “It’s really worrying waiting for the results and it’s such a relief to get the all-clear so I’m really happy life can start to return back to normal.”

Grace will return to hospital for monitoring over the next five years following the treatment for her melanoma.

Allan Ponniah, the surgeon who treated her, said: “I’m delighted Grace’s results have come back negative and she doesn’t require any further treatment.

"It’s such positive news.

Grace Davies. (Image: Royal Free Hospital)

“We are seeing a significant increase in the number of young people presenting with skin cancer, so I’d really like to emphasise the importance of using sunscreen and covering your skin when you’re out in the sun and, of course staying away from sun beds.

"Grace was one of the lucky ones to pick it up early, others aren’t so lucky.

“At the Royal Free London, we have the largest skin cancer service in London and it is our duty to work with the community and our patients to prevent skin cancer and promote early detection so our patients do not suffer unduly.”