Marcia Murray: Granite Belt woman opens up about melanoma scare

A suspicious spot on her face was deemed ‘harmless’ by multiple doctors, but this Granite Belt woman’s instinct was right and now she is warning others to be on the lookout for things that can go unnoticed and could have cost her life.

Marcia Murray was diagnosed with a stage 1 melanoma in June this year. Photo: Madison Mifsud-Ure / Stanthorpe Border Post

One Granite Belt woman wants to bring awareness to having regular skin checks and getting more than one doctor’s opinion after her shock diagnosis of melanoma in June.

When Marica Murray went to two different doctors with a suspicious spot on her face, she said it was dismissed on both occasions as harmless.

Months later at a GP visit for an unrelated matter, the doctor noticed a concerning discolouration and sent her straight to a skin specialist.

Just days later at her first skin check up in more than eight years, Ms Murray was diagnosed with a stage 1 melanoma.

“I am extremely thankful for the young doctor who saved my life,” she said.

Marcia Murray said she “laid low” after the removal of her malignant cancer. Photo: Madison Mifsud-Ure / Stanthorpe Border Post

After the removal of the malignant cancer, the 79-year-old said she “laid low” for a while and barely left the house.

“I felt like no one would want to look at me because I had a big bandage over my face on my cheek and looked like I had been in the war,” she said.

“While I couldn’t see it, I wasn’t used to drawing people's attention and I also didn’t want to upset other people.”

Since getting her stitches removed last month, Ms Murray said she was more comfortable with the small bandage and it’s given her a “new lease on life”.

Ms Murray said her experience serves as a reminder to other people that “no matter what age you are, you are your own best judge”.

“If you are concerned about something (on your skin) be confident and press harder with the doctors,” she said.

Dermatologist Doctor Perry Wilson said GP’s have varying abilities so if you aren’t “confident” in one medical person’s response seek another opinion.

“A lot of things that grow or change colour or develop are going to be harmless but it’s sometimes hard for GP’s to be sure (on their first assessment),” Dr Wilson said.

Cancer Council Australia reported that melanoma was the third most common cancer diagnosed in Australia in 2020, with the nation also having the highest incidence rate in the world.

To reduce your risk of getting a melanoma, Dr Wilson advises people to be vigilant and check theirs and their partner’s skin and either avoid sun exposure altogether or wear protective clothing and sunscreen when outside.

Condamine Medical Centre Doctor Lynton Hudson said every two weeks he finds at least one melanoma on a patient.

“I recommend people get their skin checked once a year. If the mole or spot is discoloured or the outline is really jagged and it becomes itchy, sore or bleeding then you need to get it seen to immediately,” he said.

“Melanoma is an aggressive cancer that spreads quickly, so if you get it picked up early the result is usually very good, but the longer you leave it then the outcome is poorer.”

Dr Hudson said data shows that 99 per cent of people diagnosed with stage 1 melanoma live for at least 10 years following the removal, with life expectancy rates decreasing the more severe the cancer.