In 2022, UK expat turned Sydneysider Richi hadn’t been to the GP for a general health check in years, so booked one on a whim. A few days later the (then) 57-year old was diagnosed with melanoma.
“It was just a general check-up,” he says, “nothing specific. But during the appointment, my doctor suggested doing a skin check as well. I’ve got fair skin and am rarely in the sun, and I’ve never been someone who keeps track of every mole or freckle, so I wasn’t at all concerned.”
“Within minutes he’d found a suspicious spot between two of my toes! I’d never even noticed it before, so it wasn’t causing me any issues, but the biopsy confirmed it: melanoma. I was really shocked.”
What went through your head after being diagnosed with melanoma out of the blue?
To be honest, I didn’t dwell on it too much. I was just grateful it had been picked up when it was. The doctor told me I needed surgery straight away, so my focus was just on getting that done.
How did your family and loved ones react to the news?
I have two kids who were 16 and 13 at the time and of course, I told them. I think they were more worried than I was. I reassured them it had been caught early and that the doctors were taking care of it. I also told a few close friends, but beyond that, I just got on with it.
What kind of treatment did you undergo, and how did it affect you physically?
Within a week of my diagnosis, I was admitted to RPA in Camperdown (Sydney, NSW) for day surgery to remove the spot. I was so lucky; I didn’t need any further treatment beyond the excision, so overall my melanoma diagnosis didn’t have a huge physical impact on my life. The main inconvenience for me was just recovering from the surgery, which took a bit of time to heal.
How has a melanoma diagnosis impacted your daily life?
Short term, I had to take it easy while my foot healed, but otherwise, life went on. I’m more sun-aware now for sure. I also remind my kids, who were both born and raised in Australia, of how random my diagnosis was. I stress to them the importance of protecting their skin from the sun (which is challenging because they’re teenagers and they both love the beach) and of having regular skin checks.
What were some of the biggest emotional or mental hurdles you faced during this time?
To be honest I didn’t feel a huge emotional impact. Maybe that’s a typical middle-aged male response? I just accepted it and focused on getting it treated and moving on. That said, it did make me more aware of my health in general. Also, having a good GP and a clear plan in place meant I never felt overwhelmed.
How has your perspective on health, sun safety, or life in general changed since your diagnosis?
As I said, it made me realise how important it is to stay on top of health checks, even when you feel fine. I hadn’t been to the doctor in years and if I hadn’t gone when I did, who knows what my prognosis would have been…which is scary.
Did you require support—financial, emotional, or practical—during your treatment journey?
I was fortunate that my treatment was straightforward so I didn’t need financial support, but I know not everyone is in the same position and that, even in a country like Australia, access to treatments and services can depend massively on where you live or your financial situation. Medicare isn’t enough. It’s not fair.
What advice would you give to someone who has just been diagnosed with melanoma?
Don’t ignore it, and 100% don’t delay treatment. I was lucky mine was caught early.
What do you wish more people knew about melanoma and its impact?
Don’t assume melanoma is just something that happens to people who spend all day in the sun. I never thought I was at risk, but here we are. If I hadn’t gone for that check-up, I might not have known until it was much worse.
If you could share one key message about melanoma prevention or early detection, what would it be
Get checked. It’s simple, takes very little time, and could save your life.
How can people best support melanoma patients and their loved ones?
By raising awareness and making sure people know how important early detection is. And for anyone whose life has been touched or affected by melanoma, by supporting organisations like the Neil Evans Melanoma Foundation that support the patients who need it most. Not everyone is as lucky as I was.
Not everyone is as lucky as Richi. Thousands of Australians are diagnosed with late-stage melanoma each year. Many of them struggle to afford treatments, trials, and other support services. Make a difference, make a donation today.
