Paitent Stories

Laura Sofen

Melanoma Diagnosis to Sun Safety Advocate

My name is Laura, and I am a speech-language pathologist and yoga instructor. In January 2022, at the age of 31, I made an appointment with my dermatologist due to concerns about a changing mole under my right breast. I noticed that the center was starting to get darker and knew something wasn’t right. Despite seeing a dermatologist annually for full-body skin exams for 10+ years, I had very unhealthy skin habits (including summer tanning and use of tanning beds) over the years. I decided not to wait and went 3 months prior to my scheduled yearly exam. Not long after my biopsy, my dermatologist called me on my drive home from work. When she said the word “melanoma,” I knew that my life would change from that moment on.

A week later, I went to my follow-up appointment for the melanoma to be treated with wide excision. It took about a half hour to complete and several weeks to return to activities and exercise that I enjoy. Despite the emotional and physical toll, I am extremely lucky that my melanoma was detected and treated early. My husband, sister (who is also a melanoma survivor), and other family members supported me throughout this entire process and continue to be by my side.

Fast forward almost 2 years later, and my life looks a lot different for the better. I’m sharing my story to inspire others to prioritize sun safety and be proactive with their skin health. Scheduling annual skin exams with your dermatologist is the first step, but it’s more than that. I want others to understand the dangers of tanning beds and UV exposure from the sun. I want people to know that having a tan is not worth the consequences of potentially receiving a melanoma diagnosis. There are many things we can do each day to prevent skin cancer, including wearing sunscreen, UPF clothing, sunglasses, and hats, in addition to limiting our time in the sun. I hope my story inspires you to make healthy and smart decisions for your current and future self. Always remember, pale is beautiful and healthy!

Follow Laura and her sister Rebecca’s journey to sun safety @Sun_Safety_Sisters on Instagram.

Join us in watching Laura’s inspiring journey from melanoma diagnosis to becoming a sun safety advocate, shared during our Melanoma Awareness Month Webinar on May 13, 2024.