Patient Stories

Rachel Roth

Marked by Strength: What Skin Cancer Taught Me About Life

Hi, I’m Rachel – at twenty-one, I carry a story that completely changed my outlook on life. At nineteen, just after completing my first year of university, I was diagnosed with Stage One Melanoma. What was supposed to be a time defined by independence, new friendships, and self-discovery quickly turned into an unexpected battle I never saw coming. While it wasn’t the kind of challenge I had anticipated at that stage in my life, that diagnosis became the moment that reshaped my perspective.  

In April 2023, my mom noticed a mole on my ankle that looked unusual – something I had overlooked completely. Looking back, I think I missed the warning signs for two main reasons: first, I had the mole for years and only began to see noticeable changes about four years after it first appeared, all within just a couple of months; and second, I simply didn’t know enough about melanoma to recognize the potential danger. To me, it was just another mole, but to her, it was a sign that something wasn’t right. Hearing a slight concern in her tone, I booked an appointment, expecting reassurance. Instead, I was referred to a dermatologist, and within days, that small mole changed everything. When I heard the word melanoma – cancer – leave my doctor’s mouth, I was stoic. Fear, confusion, disbelief – all collided at once. The months that followed were some of the hardest I’ve ever faced. I tried to live normally – going to work, laughing with friends, all while carrying the quiet weight of what’s to come: my surgery and my life after it.  

My recovery from surgery was one of the hardest chapters of my life. Because of where my melanoma was located, I needed a skin graft – the surgeons had to remove a large portion of the surrounding skin. What started as a small mole left behind four scars that reminded me daily of what I’d overcome. That summer, while my friends were out making memories, I spent countless days in my room, isolated and recovering, wondering why this had happened to me. Accepting that my body would never look the same was difficult, but understanding that my scars tell a story of strength, healing, and resilience ran even deeper.  

With time, I began to see things differently. My scars became symbols of strength, not loss. I realized that life isn’t about waiting for perfect moments – it’s about saying yes to every opportunity, cherishing the people who matter most, and finding beauty in imperfection. It taught me that there’s purpose in everything and that sometimes, the hardest times are the ones that awaken the deepest gratitude for simply being here to live another day. 

My family’s support during that time was my lifeline. If it weren’t for my mom urging me to get that spot checked, and the incredible luck I got of catching it early, my journey could have been so much harder. After recovery, all I wanted was to move on and forget what had happened, but my dad reminded me of how powerful and impactful my story can be to others. That reminder became my motivation.  

Recently, I found the courage to share my experience and plan to start my own club on campus dedicated to raising awareness about melanoma. Through that, I’ve connected with many inspiring people, including Melanoma Canada, giving me the opportunity to share my story and to discover a new sense of purpose.  

Melanoma is one of the most common cancers found in young adults aged 15–29, and I am part of this statistic. My experience has made me passionate about raising awareness about melanoma prevention, especially among parents, given how young I was when diagnosed.   

Did you know that too much sun in childhood can increase the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers later on? I hope my story encourages others to take action and prioritize prevention.

NOMINATE A SPACE   

You can make a difference right now by nominating a local space – like a daycare, camp, park, school, or playground – by February 15, 2026, to receive sun protection from Melanoma Canada. 

I am deeply proud of the person I’ve become and the milestones I’ve achieved along the way. If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s to listen when your loved ones speak up – their concerns could save your life.  

Awareness starts with paying attention.