Newlywed Chelsea Rees, 29, from Cardiff, had a dream that a mole on her chest was cancerous, which prompted her to seek medical help. She was diagnosed with stage 1b malignant melanoma in February 2025 and underwent surgery. Now cancer-free, she credits early detection with saving her life.
The Dream That Changed Everything
Rees, a consultant ecologist, had never used a sunbed and only experienced one bad sunburn in her youth. After her uncle died of cancer in August 2025, she dreamt that a mole on her chest had spread. She initially sent photos to an app through her work healthcare plan and was told it was nothing to worry about. However, following the dream, she booked a GP appointment and saw a nurse the next day.
The nurse checked the mole using the ABCDE checklist method and deemed it harmless, but took photos and sent them to dermatology for a second opinion. Rees was later referred to the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) dermatology department, where the mole was removed and tested.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Two months later, Rees received a letter confirming the mole was a stage 1b malignant melanoma. She was shocked and attended an appointment in February 2025, expecting to see her surgeon, but instead met a Macmillan nurse. She underwent a full body scan and lymph node check, followed by a wide local excision to remove any potential spread. Six weeks later, she was given the all-clear.
Rees sought counselling from Tenovus Cancer Care to process the diagnosis. She said: "I felt counselling was something I needed to help me come to terms with the diagnosis. You just don’t know how you might feel until it happens to you." She added: "I have only been married to my husband Kyle for just over a year and it puts things into perspective."
Urging Others to Act
Rees is now encouraging others to check their skin and trust their instincts. "If sharing my experience encourages even one person to take their skin seriously, book that GP appointment, or protect themselves in the sun then it’s worth it. Early detection genuinely saves lives," she said.
Rhian Jones, senior support line nurse at Tenovus Cancer Care, advised: "People are more likely to head outside when the UV index is moderate or high (UV index three and above), which means that’s when the sun is strong enough to damage skin. If you notice any changes in your skin go to your GP as soon as possible." She also highlighted the ABCDE guide as an easy way to remember common signs to look for.
