Sun safety reminder

A Utah mother learns a nose spot can be cancer and why lifelong sun protection matters for families.

Sun safety becomes a survival lesson after skin cancer diagnosis

Amanda Anderson, 43, noticed a small spot on her nose in January 2025 and dismissed it as dry skin during Utah’s dry winter. A GP prescribed a cream, and the spot returned, began to bleed, and then scabbed. Despite reassurances, Amanda trusted her instincts and sought a second opinion.

In June 2025 a biopsy confirmed basal cell carcinoma. She underwent Mohs surgery to remove the cancer, needing several rounds and a reconstruction using skin from above and below the nose. Now recovering, she will have checkups every six months and uses the experience to urge others to protect their skin from an early age.

The story highlights how common appearances can disguise serious disease. A family history of skin cancer and a fair complexion increased Amanda’s risk, yet the first medical advice did not flag the seriousness. The medical journey shows how modern procedures like Mohs surgery can preserve tissue and function while removing cancer. It also spotlights the social angle: childhood sun exposure and past lack of sunscreen access shaped Amanda’s lifelong habits and risk awareness.

Beyond the medical details, the case argues for practical, everyday sun safety. It underscores the need for persistent public health messaging about screening, sunscreen use, and shade from youth through adulthood. Personal stories like this can drive real change in habits, even when the medical path is not dramatic at first glance.

Highlights

Protecting skin is a daily habit, not a seasonal choice.