I had no idea I was critically ill until I spotted a tiny ‘patch of eczema’ on my face

A mother was shocked to discover an innocent-looking freckle that doctors ignored was actually a deadly disease.

Kay Wootten, 57, claims she was originally told the mark on her cheek, which appeared in 2018, could be eczema.

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“All of this could have been prevented if they had just listened to me when everything started to change,” said Kay, from Romford, London.

Shortly after it appeared, the freckle began to grow, itch and bleed, the retired health worker said. Doctors, however, insisted it wasn’t a serious freckle.

In 2021, she was prescribed steroids and moisturizers, but took them to no avail.

In 2022, she went full throttle and insisted on a referral to a dermatologist.

A biopsy taken in June 2022 revealed Kay had developed stage four melanoma and had since undergone surgery and over a year of chemotherapy.

“My whole life has completely changed — I try to joke about it, but it’s really killing me,” she explained.

Melanoma, the most serious skin cancer, is diagnosed 16,000 times a year.

According to this, 2,340 people die every year from the deadly cancer Cancer Research UK.

It develops on skin that gets too much sun exposure.

She has since had much of her cheek removed and four cheek lifts performed in front of and below her ear.

She also had her thyroid removed after testing positive for melanoma.

Kay said, “I’m still constantly sick from chemotherapy and there’s nothing I can do — I feel like the next year is going to be a complete waste if they don’t get rid of it.”

“You don’t realize how much this is affecting your family as well. It’s not just you, it’s your kids too, and you’re missing out on so much.”

Kay’s medical center and NHS North East London have been asked for comment.