Young Woman Raises Skin Cancer Awareness Through Personal Experience

A 26-year-old woman from Connecticut, Chloë Bourgoin, recently shared her experience battling skin cancer to alert others about a lesser-known symptom of the disease. She had a variety of moles and did not know the importance of regular skin examinations. Her last check was in 2018. Unaware that itching could indicate skin cancer, Bourgoin recounted her story to Newsweek.

In photos taken over the years, a new mole seemed to appear on her body around three years ago. It was not until the end of 2025 that she experienced an itch on her lower leg and investigated the symptom online. This research led her to suspect something serious, and a dermatologist confirmed her fears. The small mole above her ankle was diagnosed as malignant melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer often occurring in areas exposed to the sun.

“The mole was new, we think it appeared about three years ago based on photos, and it was completely normal until I started to experience itching,” Bourgoin told Newsweek.

Skin cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in the United States. The American Academy of Dermatology Association notes a significant increase in diagnoses over the last three decades. UV radiation from sunlight or tanning beds significantly raises the risk of skin cancer. Childhood or adolescent sunburns further increase the chances, with melanoma generally linked to UV exposure. Symptoms often include moles with unique shapes, color changes, unusual borders, itchiness, or bleeding.

Bourgoin later discovered her maternal family history of melanoma, increasing her cancer risk. She underwent a biopsy followed by excision surgery, removing both the melanoma and some healthy skin to prevent recurrence. In a video, she showed that a significant portion of her leg is now missing due to the excision, but reports successful treatment.

“My recovery has been going well, and I am now cancer-free!” she exclaimed to Newsweek.