Kirsten’s story

Kisten Richardson, 34, a housewife from Epping, Essex, was treated for skin cancer and underwent a sentinel node biopsy at Barts and The London Skin Centre.

Kirsten Richardson

Kirsten noticed that a mole under her right breast had started growing when she was seven months’ pregnant with her second child.

After the birth of Imogen in March 2007, the mole had grown to 2cm long and Kirsten was referred to Professor Rino Cerio, consultant dermatologist and dermopathologist at Barts and The London Skin Centre.

Prof Cerio decided to remove the mole and a millimetre of surrounding skin. Tests showed it was cancerous, a malignant melanoma which is a type of skin cancer.

Although Kirsten was in shock, she said Prof Cerio and his team were very reassuring.

‘The communication from the doctors was excellent,’ she says. ‘They explained everything step by step and at the combined dermatology clinic, the whole multi-disciplinary team was available to answer my questions.’

Kirsten’s melanoma was superficial which means it was growing mainly across the skin rather than downwards into the bloodstream.

Although a CT scan came back clear, it was decided Kirsten should undergo a fairly new procedure called a sentinel node biopsy which removes a lymph node in the armpit to be sure the cancer has not spread.

Barts and The London Skin Centre is one of only a handful of centres in London offering a sentinel lymph node biopsy service for melanoma and other high-risk skin cancers.

Mr Graeme Moir, consultant plastic surgeon at Barts and The London, performed Kirsten’s operation. He says: ‘The procedure used to be seen as a research tool but now it is regarded as gold standard treatment.

‘It is the best indicator of prognosis, and it means that people with cancer that has spread get treatment for the disease sooner.’

Fortunately, the procedure revealed that the cancer had not spread.

Kirsten says: ‘I will need regular check-ups for at least five years, but it is very reassuring to know that I am completely clear of cancer.’