A woman's black mark on her head was diagnosed as a fungal infection before she was later given devastating cancer news.
Sarah Lee, 29, spoke about her "terrifying surprise" in a bid to warn others about the dangers of sun damage to the skin.
Writing on Twitter, the BBC journalist said: "When the nurse told me the news over the phone, I was so shocked I almost collapsed.
"I wasn't a sunbed user, I used factor 30 sun cream and I grew up in Wales, where it almost always rains,"
The BBC journalist also explained how it took after six months, three virtual family-doctor consultations, and two dermatology reviews.
Urging others to protect themselves, she said: "PLEASE don't underestimate the damage the sun can do. Wear SPF, a hat, stay in the shade and get your moles checked."
Melanoma is a rare skin cancer that can easily invade other parts of the body, according to the British Association of Dermatologists.
Lee initially noticed a small black mole on her scalp in July 2021 after taking a picture to check if her highlights needed redoing.
After seeking the opinion of a doctor, she told Insider how she was immediately referred her to a dermatologist, who told her in August 2021 that the spot was likely to be benign.
But within months, the mole had "grown and multiplied," and led Sara to seek a second opinion,
She was then referred her to another dermatologist, who arranged for the moles to be surgically removed and biopsied.
The shocking results confirmed Lee had "stage three malignant nodular melanoma," meaning the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.
Lee eventually went on to have an eight-hour operation to remove 24 lymph nodes.
Lee added: "When I heard the word 'dissection,' I instantly thought about the sad-looking fish I had to cut up in Year 11 biology. On 11 March, it was my turn to be the fish."
