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I was living the dream at 20 when my sister noticed a tiny freckle on my shoulder blade - then I was given some shattering news
A sun-loving young woman who was diagnosed with skin cancer at just 20 years old admits she was 'naïve' about how deadly the harsh Australian sun can be.
Teisha Ward, from Melbourne, loved soaking up the sunshine by tanning at the beach or poolside - but was unaware of the irreversible damage being done.
Speaking to FEMAIL, the now 25-year-old executive assistant said she was far too 'blasé' after being diagnosed with stage three melanoma skin cancer and was certain doctors could simply 'cut it out'.
'My older sister Georgia noticed I had a small, dark freckle on my back that had risen above the skin. It had become itchy and would bleed when scratched and she encouraged me to get it checked out,' Teisha said.
The life-changing diagnosis came four years after Teisha broke her back in a horrid motorbike accident where she needed to learn how to walk again.
Teisha Ward, from Melbourne, was diagnosed with skin cancer at 20
Recalling the day she saw her GP about the freckle, Teisha said: 'I went to the doctor's appointment pretty blasé about the whole situation. As soon as they looked at it, they said: "Yeah we're 99 per cent sure that's melanoma".
'But even after I heard those words it didn't hit me how serious it was.'
After the appointment she hopped back in the car with her dad and sister and told them the news.
Her dad instantly became very worried and stopped the car, turned around and went back to the clinic with Teisha to find out more.
He asked doctors for more details and was informed the freckle needed to be removed right away.
The sinister spot was cut out two days later and a biopsy on the cells was conducted, then Teisha was referred to an oncologist at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. That's when it hit her.
The freckle can be seen on her shoulder blade. It was small yet had raised above the skin and bled when she scratched it
Her older sister Georgia (right) noticed a small freckle on her back that had risen, felt itchy and would bleed when scratched. Georgia urged Teisha to go to the doctor
'It's been a long journey for my health so dad was worried for me. We basically lived at the Royal Price Alfred so going back there brought back bad memories,' she said.
The biopsy results showed the cancer had already moved under the skin so Teisha required an operation to remove more of the surrounding area.
'When I was diagnosed it was a shocking but I was more hurt for my parents - it was so hard seeing what it did to them emotionally and mentally,' Teisha said.
'Given I had the motorbike accident four years prior, I couldn't believe we were going to need to spend more time in the hospital because of cancer.'
Doctors also needed to conduct a 'lymph node test' that involved inserting dye into Teisha's body to highlight any other cancer cells.
The cancer had spread to the lymph nodes under her arms and 11 lymph nodes were removed in total.
'That was probably the hardest surgery I had because I couldn't put my arms down and sat with my arms up for a week,' she explained.
Biopsy results showed the cancer had already moved under the skin so Teisha required an operation to remove more of the surrounding area. The cancer had spread to the lymph nodes under her arms and 11 were removed from her armpits
While on treatment she lost some of her hair, felt extremely weak, had no appetite, and her skin was super dry. At the time she was working in real estate but couldn't continue and started dating her boyfriend, AFL player Dylan Clarke
Shortly after surgery, Teisha started oral chemotherapy and doctors were confident it would work at fighting the cancer.
While on treatment she lost some of her hair, felt extremely weak, had no appetite, and her skin was super dry. At the time she was working in real estate but couldn't continue and started dating her boyfriend Dylan Clarke.
Her chemotherapy continued for 18 months and it was successful. Now Teisha has regular check-ups to ensure the cancer hasn't returned.
The hardest part of the entire ordeal wasn't the cancer itself but was watching loved ones suffer in support.
'My partner Dylan has been my rock the entire time and helped me through everything,' she said.
'Still to this day my family struggle worrying about the unknown and if it'll come back. It's a waiting game for now.'
Chemotherapy continued for 18 months and it was successful. Now Teisha has regular check-ups to ensure the cancer hasn't returned
'I feel like this has definitely shaped me into a better person who's stronger and more empathetic. It just goes to show you have no idea what people are going through,' she said.
'If you looked at me when I was sick you wouldn't necessarily think I had cancer, but I did.'
Teisha said she's also been given a 'whole knew perspective on life' and she now wears sunscreen daily.
She also blamed the schooling system for a lack of education in Australia about being sun safe and the consequences that can occur from not doing so.
The experience inspired Teisha and Georgia to launch a self-tanning brand GT Skin in 2021 to encourage other Aussies to be aware of the deadly sun.
'Don't tan in the sun - it's not worth it,' Teisha warned.
'When I was a kid it was cool and attractive to be tanned. I think there's a big lack of education about sun safety too hence why we started GT Skin.'
Currently the brand offers face tans, body tans and hats but are planning to expand into sunscreen products.