Skin cancer: Woman dies after mole was described as 'nothing to worry about'

A 37-year-old woman in England was later diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma after a mole was initially assessed as not concerning; she died on March 28, 2026.

A 37-year-old mother from Plymouth, England, died on March 28, 2026, after a diagnosis of stage 3 melanoma. She first reported a changing mole in 2022 and had it removed after doctors initially said it was not concerning. The lesion regrew multiple times and a CT scan and biopsy were completed after delays that the family says lasted months. Her treatment included immunotherapy, which was paused after she developed myasthenia gravis, and she later entered hospice care. Known details: - The mole was first noted to have changed in summer 2022 and was removed, with clinicians at that time reported as saying it was "nothing to worry about." - The lesion regrew on several occasions and a CT scan and biopsy, completed after an approximately eight-month wait for results, identified stage 3 melanoma with spread to lymph nodes. - She began immunotherapy in March 2025; treatment was halted after she developed myasthenia gravis and required intensive care support. - She moved to hospice care and died on March 28, 2026; she had created a Facebook group called "Josie's Journey" to raise awareness about melanoma. Summary: Her family reports that early clinical reassurances preceded delays that preceded a later stage 3 diagnosis and treatment complications. Undetermined at this time.