A mum-of-three who had to undergo a mastectomy after discovering a suspicious mole on her tummy is encouraging people to take precautions when out in the sun.

Natasha Eaton, from Rainham, first noticed the mole in April 2022, but says by August it had “changed quite a bit”.

The 41-year-old explained: “I’d been taking pictures of it and could look back and see that the mole had changed quite a bit since it first appeared.

“I went and had it checked and doctors said they weren’t too concerned.”

Initially, she was told the mole was probably benign but as she waited for treatment, it began to change colour and bleed.

“After it was removed in November 2022, I had a phone call and they told me to bring someone with me to get my results.

“As soon as you get that phone call you think ‘this isn’t going to be good news’”.

Doctors confirmed she had stage 2B melanoma and that it was “very active and an ulcerated cancer”.

Natasha was referred to the medical team at Charing Cross Hospital in London, who Natasha says are “the most wonderful humans on the planet”.

She had further tests in February last year and was told the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and was now progressed to stage three.

She said: “I had six months of immunotherapy treatment but unfortunately in November 2023 my daughter noticed a tiny little lump had come up on my nipple.

“Panic set in, and I phoned my team and they were amazing they had me there that day. I got the results of that biopsy and the melanoma had come back.

“When they did a full body scan they noticed there was a pocket in my breast that they weren’t sure about.

“At the start of January I found out I had a 4cm tumor of melanoma in my breast.

“I was told skin cancer spreading to the breast like this was rare. The doctors gave me two options – to have a lumpectomy or to have a mastectomy.

“I’d always said that if I ever got breast cancer, I would get rid of my boobs. This was skin cancer, but on and in my breast, so I opted for the mastectomy.

“It might seem like an extreme choice but I felt it gave me the best chance of being cancer-free and seemed the best option for me.”

On January 15, she had a mastectomy and she has not had any further treatment since.

She has a full body scan and a brain scan every three months, and has had two clear ones so far this year.

Going forward, she says vigilance is the most important thing and she will be doing regular skin checks.

The mum is encouraging people to think about their sun habits and take precautions.

She said: “Looking back I think I was really naive and thought it was never going to happen to me.

“I’ve never been one to sit in the sun or lie by the pool for hours - I’m fair and freckly.

“I did use sunbeds 12 years ago before I got married, but I had no idea then about how damaging and dangerous they could be.

“I had basal cell carcinoma in 2017, but that was dealt with quickly and I never expected to get melanoma, but it’s important to always be vigilant about these things.

“I think it’s easy to forget that the skin is our biggest organ, and we really need to look after it.

“Being diagnosed with melanoma was a huge shock but finding it had spread to my breast was even worse.

“My motivation for sharing my story is my children. I think we need to change how we talk about cancer.”

The family now keeps suncream by the front door and it has become part of their normal routine to wear it.

She added: “I hope I can encourage people to think about their sun habits and take precautions.

“It’s so important when so many skin cancer cases could be prevented by being safe in the sun and using a combination of shade, clothing and sunscreen to avoid burning.”

Cancer Research UK health information manager Beth Vincent said: “There are a few different signs and symptoms of skin cancer.

“Lots of us are familiar with a new or changing mole could be a sign but it’s not just that. It’s actually any unusual change to a patch of your skin.

“That could be a patch of skin that changes colour, a new mark or a freckle, an ulcer or sore that doesn’t heal or even a lump.

“Anything unusual for you when it comes to your skin, please talk to your doctor.

“It probably won’t be cancer but if it is, spotting it early can make all the difference.”