From a Toenail Line to Melanoma: A Woman’s Frustration Leads to Early Cancer Diagnosis
A woman’s vigilance has proven crucial in catching an early sign of cancer. Kelly Edges, a skin specialist, noticed a faint line on her husband David’s toenail and insisted on further investigation, despite initial dismissals by doctors.
Credit: Jam Press
The Initial Misdiagnosis
When Kelly first noticed a faint line on her husband David’s toenail in May 2022, she grew concerned. Having studied nail conditions during her training, Kelly knew that changes like this could be a sign of serious health issues. However, David, being more relaxed about it, did not see a need for immediate medical attention.
David initially consulted a general practitioner (GP), who advised him to monitor the nail. This advice did not satisfy Kelly, who suggested a second opinion. The second GP also dismissed the line as a likely fungal issue.
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Credit: Jam Press
Persistent Monitoring Saves Lives
Kelly continued to keep an eye on the nail’s changes. Over the subsequent months, the line grew wider and darker. Realising the seriousness of the situation, Kelly pushed for further action. This persistence eventually led to a biopsy, which revealed that David had subungual melanoma, a type of skin cancer that develops under the nail.
“It’s awful to hear the words melanoma,” Kelly said, adding, “I first noticed the line in May 2022, and it rang alarm bells because I remembered learning about nail conditions and changes during my training.”
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Credit: Jam Press
The Critical Step
Kelly’s frustration culminated in a private medical consultation. The doctor thoroughly examined David’s nails and requested comparison photos taken over time. Kelly provided two photos spaced 17 months apart, which clearly showed the changes in David’s toenail.
Following a biopsy, David was diagnosed with subungual melanoma. “I was so happy to hear the word ‘in situ’ as this means it’s confined to the epidermis and hasn’t spread,” Kelly said.
