A Glasgow mum got cancer while pregnant after noticing her freckle had changed.
Andrea Lambrou, of Newlands, thought she was “going to die” after doctors confirmed a dark mark on her right leg was malignant melanoma.
She had been 36 weeks pregnant with her son Leo in July 2020 when the devastating news was confirmed leaving her anxious and fearful of the future.
Brave Andrea then underwent three major surgeries in the first six months of motherhood and a year and a half of immunotherapy treatment.
Finally she showed clear scans and is now in remission.
She said: “It hit me like a ton of bricks, I genuinely thought I was going to die.
“I’ll never forget hearing those words, not, ‘I’m sorry, you have cancer’ but what came next, ‘we have to get that baby out now.’
“I had no choice. It was just as well I didn’t have a birth plan as there was no time to get my head around anything.
“I couldn’t have asked for a happier, funnier, more beautiful smiley wee boy.
“But there was trauma and tears when I was first given the news that I had skin cancer. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me.”
Andrea now understands the devastation of a skin cancer diagnosis all too well and is passionate about raising awareness.
It comes as around four people in Scotland are diagnosed with melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, every day.
She’s sharing her story as melanoma skin cancer cases have hit a record high of 17,500 per year in the UK and are projected to soar by around 50 per cent over the next two decades, according to the latest analysis by Cancer Research UK. A
ndrea has also joined forces with the charity and NIVEA SUN to give advice and tips on how people can protect their skin from too much exposure to the sun’s UV rays.
Andrea said: “I hope by sharing my story, I can raise awareness about sun safety and about early detection.
“I hope I can encourage people to think about their sun habits and take precautions.
“It’s so important, because almost 9 in 10 melanoma cases each year in the UK could be prevented by being safe in the sun and using a combination of shade, clothing and sunscreen to avoid burning.”
Cancer Research UK and NIVEA SUN recommend the following when the sun is strong:
1. Seek Shade Especially between 11am and 3pm in the UK. Take a break under trees, umbrellas, and canopies, or go indoors.
2. Cover Up – With clothes, a wide-brimmed hat and UV protection sunglasses. Clothing should cover your shoulders. The more skin that’s covered by your clothing, the better the protection.
3. Apply Sunscreen – With at least SPF15 and 4 or 5 stars. Make sure to reapply it regularly and generously, especially after swimming, sweating, or towelling.
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