Patient Stories

Taylor Roberts

Melanoma at 33: The Importance of Monitoring Changing Moles

My name is Taylor Roberts, and I am a 35-year-old from Ontario, Canada. At 33, I had recently become engaged, and what was supposed to be one of the happiest years of my life quickly turned into one of the most stressful and emotionally challenging. 

In December 2023, I was standing in front of the mirror when I noticed that a mole on my neck – one I had always had – appeared larger and more irregular in shape than before. Something immediately felt wrong. Trusting my instincts, I called my doctor and was fortunate enough to get an appointment that same day for a biopsy. 

A month later, just a few months before my wedding, I received the call that changed everything: I had been diagnosed with melanoma. I was told that surgery would take place the following week, along with a lymph node biopsy to determine whether the cancer had spread. Thankfully, the results showed that it had not metastasized. 

Since my diagnosis and excision surgery, I have been left with a large scar above my sternum and a smaller scar above my collarbone from the lymph node biopsy. While the physical reminders remain, the experience has completely changed my approach to sun safety. 

My husband and I spend a lot of time fishing on the boat during the summer, so I am now extremely diligent about protecting my skin. Whether it’s regularly applying SPF, wearing UPF clothing, or most often both, I make sun protection a priority. I also see my dermatologist every six months for skin checks and undergo annual mole mapping using Automated Total Body Mapping (ATBM) technology for early skin cancer detection in Kincardine, Ontario. 

Throughout this entire journey, my family has been an incredible source of support. My experience has also encouraged several family members to become more proactive about their own skin health and schedule appointments with a dermatologist. 

I encourage everyone to pay attention to any new or changing spots on their skin and to seek medical advice if something doesn’t seem right. Early detection can make all the difference. Just as importantly, practice safe sun exposure by wearing SPF and UPF clothing whenever possible. It could save your life.