A talented WA netball star is using the start of summer to remind young people that no one is immune to skin cancer, after her shock melanoma diagnosis at just 17.
Twenty-year-old Tayla Styles said when she was in Year 12, she thought the mole on her neck was nothing to worry about. Within weeks, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
"When I was quite young, around 5 or 6, I had a small mole on my neck," Tayla said.
"The doctor told us it was nothing to worry about and that I could come back when I was 17 if I wanted it removed for cosmetic
"By high school, it had grown, changed shape, and even started to bleed. I felt embarrassed about it, but it wasn't until I asked for a biopsy that we found out it was melanoma and it had spread to my lymph nodes.
"I went from the high of competing in my last high school athletics carnival race to the lowest low when my parents met me at the finish line with the news of my diagnosis."
Tayla underwent surgery to remove the mole and lymph nodes, followed by 12 months of targeted oral therapy. Despite being in and out of hospital, she continued her studies and played elite-level netball.
She currently receives regular six-monthly skin checks, five-monthly PET scans, and six-monthly brain MRIs, which will continue for five years.
"Being diagnosed so young shows it can happen to anyone," she said.
"People sometimes think skin cancer is not serious, but it is life-threatening. I am not scared of the sun - but I do everything I can to protect myself, like wearing sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and protective clothing. That is my message for other young people: stay SunSmart."
Cancer Council WA SunSmart Manager Sally Blane said Tayla's story was a powerful reminder that melanoma does not just affect older Australians.
"Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and melanoma is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in people aged 15 to 29," Ms Blane said.
"In 2022[1] in WA, more than 1700 people were diagnosed with melanoma, and 148 people died from it.
"Tayla's experience shows that skin cancer can have a devastating impact, even at a young age.
"We urge all West Australians to take simple steps to reduce their risk - slip on sun protective clothing, slop on sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed hat, seek shade, and slide on sunglasses."
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