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| Jayne Dickson discovered what she thought was a verruca was actually skin cancer |
A WOMAN who thought she had a verruca was horrified to discover she was actually living with skin cancer.
Bride-to-be Jayne Dickson thought a small mark on her foot was a verruca when she was in the middle of planning her wedding.
The 50-year-old noticed a pale spot on the bottom of her foot and was keen to treat it before her imminent wedding to Ray Dickson, 60.
Before heading off on her dream honeymoon to California, she saw a chiropodist.
The foot specialist was unsure if it was a verruca and advised her to see a GP for a referral to a dermatologist.
It was following the biopsy she found out the verruca was in fact a sign of skin cancer.
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| This is a picture of Jayne's foot with the cancerous lump |
Speaking about the ordeal, she said: She said: "I noticed this little mark and presumed it was a verruca.
"I was in the throes of organising my wedding - going dress shopping, planning the music and the flowers.
"I just kept looking at it so in July I made an appointment with a chiropodist."
She added: "After being told it wasn't a verruca something made me go to the GP to find out what it was.
"I never thought it would be skin cancer, I was so lucky it was caught early. It had only just started to spread."
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| Jayne presumed this was a verruca and never thought about skin cancer |
Jayne was suffering from an acral lentiginous melanoma, a form of genetic, rather than sun-related cancer, which usually occurs on feet, hands and nails.
She had to quickly come to terms with the news: "I never imagined that small mark could be cancer.
"I had to have it removed as quickly as possible."
In March 2013, Ms Dickson had surgery at Whiston Hospital in St Helens, Merseyside, to remove the tumour which was around 2.2cm in diameter.
She also had some lymph nodes in her groin removed.
Jayne, who works for the local authority has now been in remission for two years, remembered spotting a mark inside the instep of her right foot in February 2012.
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| Jayne has been in remission for two years |
Now passionate about patients being given informative advice while they are treated, the LA worker has teamed up with the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons to produce a booklet about surgery.
She has done this in conjunction with her surgeon Mr Rowan Pritchard-Jones.
Jayne still has check ups every three months, which involve her foot and the rest of her body being inspected for any moles or marks.
She said: "I might get it again in the same place or somewhere else but I'm hoping I will be one of those who never has cancer again.
"If, by telling my story, I can make one person just look at their feet and go to their doctors, I'll be happy."
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