Tanning addict left with ‘Harry Potter’ scar after having cancer cut from her face
SUNBED addict Erica Brook was left with a “Harry Potter” type scar after cancer had to be cut out of her face.
Erica fried herself up to five times a week in the tanning booth from the age of 15, before cutting down to twice a week in her thirties.
And the single mother of one never wore high-factor sun cream on holiday.
It was only when she noticed signs of ageing the former air hostess and model started wearing sunscreen.
But it was too late and, towards the end of 2017, Erica noticed a lump on her head.
She was found to have basal cell carcinoma — a type of skin cancer which surgeons had to cut from her forehead. The zig-zag shape needed 20 stitches.
Erica says her scar has ended her modelling career and she now urges others to lather on the sunscreen and stay away from sunbeds.
Erica, 43, who owns a glitter make-up company, says: “I don’t think anyone will understand the sadness I felt when I looked in the mirror for the first time the morning after my surgery.
That’s when it hit me and I had a bit of a meltdown.
“To see the damage I was left with, and to know it was caused by long-term use of sunbeds and sunbathing, was absolutely heartbreaking.
Stop dying for a tan
SUNBEDS are as dangerous as smoking, according to the World Health Organisation.
There are around 7,000 tanning salons in Britain, with some offering sessions for as little as 50p a minute.
Sunbeds pelt the skin with such strong UV rays that 20 minutes on one is comparable to four hours in the sun.
But using them before you are 35 increases your chances of developing melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – by 87 per cent.
It is now the most common form of disease, with 100,000 people diagnosed with skin cancer each year.
This is why Fabulous says it is time to stop Dying For A Tan.
Head to Thesun.co.uk/Fabulous for more on our campaign to raise awaresness of the dangers.
“I am left with a permanent reminder of those visits and that neglect.
“I am also left with soreness and pain across my head due to nerve damage and the healing process. Thankfully, I am free of cancer. I am lucky.”
Erica began using sunbeds aged 15 and only cut back in her late-thirties when she was “starting to look old”.
She says: “As a teenager, all my friends were using sunbeds. We loved being tanned all year round and people always commented on how good I looked.
“It was a great feeling, especially at that age. We’d go after school in our uniforms a few times a week. It’s crazy to think about it now.”
In February 2017, Erica began working as a VIP cabin-crew member for a private jet company.
She flew to tropical destinations where she could enjoy even more sun.
Erica says: “For most of my life, when I’d gone abroad I’d bathe with the lowest-factor sunscreen, hoping to get that perfect ‘holiday glow’.
“I was still using sunbeds, too. But I noticed deep lines had started to appear on my face, as well as age spots.
“I realised I needed to start looking after my skin and used high-factor sun cream to halt the ageing process.
“I continued to use sunbeds — just less frequently — as I still wanted to be tanned for my new job.
“I spent all of my time either in the sun or on a plane, which wasn’t great for my skin. But I was having the time of my life.”
Erica had modelled on a freelance basis from her mid-twenties. Her clients included Formula One and Superbikes. Despite juggling two jobs, she felt on top of the world.
But in late 2017, while at the gym with a friend, she noticed a small lump on her forehead.
Erica, mum to son Kyle, 22, says: “My friend commented on a mark that looked like a big mole.
“I had already been to the GP, who told me it was nothing to worry about.
“So I shrugged it off and carried on with my workout. But later I started to think about it more.”
The area at the top right of her forehead would occasionally scab and become sore. It also began to grow in size. But her GP was not alarmed.
She says: “They reassured me it was nothing — but I was worried, especially when friends family pointed it out.
“I felt self-conscious of the mark, which had started to become an indent 1cm across.”
In October 2018, Erica was referred to a dermatologist and, early this year, a biopsy showed it was basal cell carcinoma.
She says: “You can’t explain the feelings you have when the C-word is put in front of you.
“It was a bombshell — but also a relief when they told me it hadn’t spread.” In February, Erica had surgery to remove the lump, by now 8cm across.
She says: “My surgeon has said it can take up to two years before it heals properly but that I may never be free of pain. The scar is cosmetic now and I will have to learn to cope.
Symptoms of melanoma
The most common sign of melanoma is a new mole or a change in an existing mole.
In most cases, melanomas have an irregular shape and are more than one colour. The mole may also be larger than normal and can sometimes be itchy or bleed. Look out for a mole which changes progressively in shape, size and/or colour.
The ABCDE checklist should help you tell the difference between a normal mole and a melanoma:
- Asymmetrical – melanomas have 2 very different halves and are an irregular shape
- Border – melanomas have a notched or ragged border
- Colours – melanomas will be a mix of 2 or more colours
- Diameter – most melanomas are larger than 6mm (1/4 inch) in diameter
- Enlargement or elevation – a mole that changes size over time is more likely to be a melanoma
Source: NHS
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“I want to raise awareness of how damaging sunbeds are.
“Sunbed shops are on the corners of most streets, available for young adults to use who might not be aware of the risks.
“I’m now a lover of fake tan and I urge tan-lovers everywhere to switch to the bottle. You don’t want to end up like me.”
Symptoms of non-melanoma cancers
The first sign of non-melanoma skin cancer is usually the appearance of a lump or discoloured patch on the skin that continues to persist after a few weeks, and slowly progresses over months or sometimes years.
There are two common types of non-melanoma:
Basal cell carcinoma (accounts for 75 per cent of skin cancers):
- usually appears as a small, shiny pink or pearly-white lump with a waxy appearance
- can also look like a red, scaly patch
- there's sometimes some brown or black pigment within the patch
- the lump slowly gets bigger and may become crusty, bleed or develop into a painless ulcer
Squamous cell carcinoma (accounts for the other 20 per cent):
- appears as a firm pink lump with a rough or crusted surface
- can be a lot of surface scale and sometimes even a spiky horn sticking up from the surface
- lump is often tender to touch, bleeds easily and may develop into an ulcer
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