GBBO finalist Jane Beedle opens up about her skin cancer scare
Baker Jane Beedle has opened up about her skin cancer scare, just weeks before starring on the BBC show
GBBO Jane Beedle - a finalist on last year's show - has revealed her skin cancer horror after she was urged by her husband, Ray to get an abnormal-looking mole on her arm checked out.
The mum-of-two from Kent, told The Mirror: 'I am a very "moley" fair-skinned person, and I grew up in an era when no one knew about sun protection.'
As a child she remembered that they would be parked on the beach in the sunshine, and as a teenager she covered herself in oil in order to get as deep a tan as possible.
'Like most people, I had intended to get my moles looked over but then late last summer, one popped up on my left arm and my husband said "I don't like the look of that - go and get it checked over.",' she explained.
The 62-year-old headed to the doctors - a decision that ended up saving her life.
The mole turned out to be a basal cell carcinoma, which isn't a melanoma and could be easily treated, but Jane went on to say: 'Two of the other moles, on my left foot and left knee, were a melanoma in situ - a very superficial cancer, so they could be taken off easily too.'
'The one on the back of my right thigh turned out to be a melanoma unfortunately, which is the nasty type of skin cancer that can be fatal if not treated quickly,' she continued.
GoodtoKnow Newsletter
Parenting advice, hot topics, best buys and family finance tips delivered straight to your inbox.
The baker, who is also a garden designer, confessed, she regrets trying to 'get as deep a tan as she could' by 'slathering on the coconut oil' as a teenager.
'My health is being monitored still,' she said. 'I have six-monthly check-ups for my moles and last February I had more surgery to remove another suspicious area from my chest.'
Jane is now supporting Marie Curie, and is doing everything she can to raise skin cancer awareness, admitting that that she's evangelical about the subject.
'We really should all be sun aware,' she concluded.
.
Trusted, informative, and empathetic – GoodToKnow is the ultimate online destination for parents. At GoodtoKnow, our mission is 'simple': we're trying to make sense of parenthood. On the site, you'll find everything you need for a happy, healthy family life. Our huge archive of content includes more than 18,000 articles and 1,500 how-to videos. These include expert-backed advice features on parenting, dealing with relationship changes after having a baby, self-care for mums and managing your family finances. We also feature tried-and-tested product reviews and buying recommendations for every stage of family life - from prams and Moses baskets to birthday gifts and top toys.