“I noticed this scaly patch on my lip, so they sent me for scans,” says Sharon. “I had a PET scan, a CAT scan and an MRI scan—and then the results came back.”
Sharon’s childhood growing up on Australia’s beaches was typical for the 1950s and ’60s, with sun protection being an afterthought.
“My mum was a mad sun lover,” remembers Sharon. “We were at the beach a lot, and there wasn’t really any sunscreen around. It was just zinc across the nose, and then we’d be lathered in coconut oil, which boiled and burned.” What Sharon didn’t realize was that her fair skin put her at a much higher risk for skin cancer.1
Most people don’t realize that NMSCs, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and CSCC, are the most common type of skin cancer—20 times more prevalent than the better-known melanoma.2 In 2020, a startling 1.2 million cases of BCC and CSCC were diagnosed worldwide.3
Fortunately, most NMSCs are caught early.1 But in some instances, the tumor can progress to advanced stages—where the cancer grows deeper into the skin or metastasizes, spreading to other tissues or organs—and become considerably more difficult to treat.4,5
Anyone can be diagnosed with advanced BCC or advanced CSCC, but certain people are at a greater risk, including those who have previously been diagnosed with the disease, those who have been exposed to intense or extended sun rays, and individuals over 65 years old.1,6
Like Sharon, Laura, who lives on the other side of the world, in Hamburg, Germany, was shocked to learn that what she thought was nothing more than an infected wound on her ear was actually an NMSC. She was diagnosed with advanced BCC at only 33 years old.4,7
“I went in for a short round of antibiotics, which ended up with: ‘You have skin cancer,’” says the pastry chef. “It had grown through all sorts. It was in my bones. It had grown into my ear and into my nose cartilage and my upper lip. It had definitely made itself at home.”
Since skin cancer is more difficult to treat when it metastasizes, navigating the next steps can be daunting for people like Laura who receive such a diagnosis.4,8,9
Laura, whose cancer had gone undiagnosed for more than four years, saw multiple health care professionals after her diagnosis before being referred to a hospital where a specialized care plan was created for her.
Leaning on a multidisciplinary health care team was a key factor in Laura’s experience. Before committing to a treatment path for her advanced BCC case, her team took time to understand the complexities and scale of her condition.
Laura is thankful for her medical team and organizations bringing support and medical advances to people diagnosed with advanced NMSC around the world.
Laura and Sharon, like many others, found invaluable strength from their support networks and loved ones. Today, nearly 88 percent of cancer caregivers are family members, facing the rigors of cancer head-on with their loved ones.10
Sharon relied heavily on her family during treatment; however, she admits she feared the reaction from her adult children when she shared the news of her diagnosis. She needn’t have worried: They were with her every step of the way—particularly her daughter, Bryhony.
“Mum’s gone through a journey, and it happened so quick in the last few years,” Bryhony says. “I don’t think she liked losing her independence, but I saw her strength and resilience and I am very proud of her. I’m really glad that my daughter still has a grandmother—and she is a great role model.”
For Bryhony as well as Laura’s boyfriend, Simon, improved awareness has helped them successfully navigate their journey as caregivers. Ongoing research has led to new treatments for advanced BCC and advanced CSCC, providing more options for patients and their families.11
“It was a difficult time,” says Simon, who admits he was initially “steamrolled” by Laura’s diagnosis. “There are some gaps in awareness that need to be filled. I wish there was more education about the fact that this could happen to anyone.”
Sharon and Laura live thousands of miles apart in different countries, but their stories highlight important lessons learned from their experiences with advanced BCC and advanced CSCC:
• Wear sunscreen and outdoor protection like hats and rash vests as a priority, not an afterthought.12
• Be on the lookout for new, changing or unusual spots on your skin.11,13
• Maintain a regular schedule of skin checks from a health care professional; early detection is key.14
• If diagnosed, work closely with your health care team to monitor and stay up to date on the latest research and developments.12
Sharon and Laura’s stories show that it’s important to be proactive regarding protection and treatment, and to find and draw support from a community of people who have gone through similar experiences.
References
Produced by Reuters Plus for Regeneron and Sanofi: MAT-GLB-2204805.v1 03/23
