A woman diagnosed with skin cancer has revealed the impact the disease has had on her life as she backs a major awareness campaign.

Elizabeth Williams, 60, from Dorchester, attended a GP surgery in August 2016 complaining of a skin lesion on the left side of her nose. 

It was reported to have been there for around four to five months, with a cycle of scabbing and falling off, then reappearing. 

Over a period of two and a half years, she returned to her GP on multiple occasions reporting the continued recurrence of the lesion on her nose, as well as scabbing and bleeding.

In May 2019 she was referred to dermatology and underwent cryotherapy, which is the process of freezing to remove abnormal tissue.

A few weeks later she was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer, on her left nostril. 

She underwent surgery, including reconstruction of her nostril, ear skin flap, radiotherapy and de-bulking revision surgery.

Elizabeth, who has shown no signs of cancer recurring, is now supporting World Cancer Day on February 4 2023.

Beginning in 2000, World Cancer Day held every year is the global awareness day led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

Elizabeth, who has a husband and two children and is an assistant manager at her local authority, said: “Hearing that I had cancer is a moment I’ll never forget. 

“I had been to the doctor more than once about my nose, but not for one minute did I ever think it was something that serious.

“When I was given my diagnosis, I was devastated.  As it had been there for some time, I was also worried that it might have spread.

“I’ve been left with facial scarring due to the surgery, and also had to have part of my nose reconstructed which was really distressing to go through. 

“While I’m now cancer free, I’m constantly worried that it’s going to come back. The whole experience has really taken its toll on my mental health and really knocked my confidence.

“At the same time, I’m so grateful to still be here and thankful for the support I’ve had.  I know nothing will change what’s happened, but I want to make others aware of what to look out for when it comes to skin cancer."

Elizabeth has contacted lawyers to investigate whether more could have been done to treat her cancer sooner.