College Athlete Books Skin Check After Mom’s Warning—Then Comes Diagnosis
Former college rower Jaime Maybery ignored a changing mole until a cancer diagnosis led to surgery and fears it had spread.
Jaime, a 23-year-old former rowing star and college athlete, discovered she had cancer at a young age. She had initially disregarded a growing mole on her leg, assuming it would go away. However, after her mother in New Zealand urged her to seek medical attention, Jaime booked an appointment with a dermatologist. The mole was found to be invasive, aggressive melanoma, which had penetrated beyond the epidermis and posed a risk of spreading to other parts of her body.
At first, Jaime was in shock and fear, but she has since become more cautious about sun protection and regular skin checks. Navigating the healthcare system as a non-U.S. citizen presented challenges, but Jaime underwent surgery and treatment in the U.S. and New Zealand, eventually learning that the melanoma had not spread to her lymph nodes.
She will need regular skin checks for the next five years and has already discovered another suspicious mole that required treatment. Jaime believes melanoma can affect anyone and emphasizes the importance of proactive sun protection and skin checks, especially with the influence of tanning culture in Gen Z.
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