In May 2022, eight months shy of her 40th birthday, Carly Waide was diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma.

A mother of two young children, Carly had a Stage I melanoma removed in 2019, and remained symptom-free until three years later, when she began to have difficulties swallowing, and then found a small lump in her breast in early May.

With a family history of breast cancer, Carly immediately had scans and a biopsy, and was referred to a breast surgeon two weeks after finding the lump.

“It was confronting to think that I had breast cancer. My mum had it in the past, and I knew that it was possible to beat, so I was shocked but knew what to expect and survival rates are high. When I was then told that I actually had metastatic melanoma, it was a different story.”

“Initially I was confused, I thought melanoma was a skin cancer, I didn't realise it could create tumours throughout your body.”

Scans showed that Carly had multiple, rapidly growing melanoma tumours - one in her breast, one in her armpit, another in her abdomen and a very large tumour in her oesophagus, making it hard to swallow. Surgery was not an option for her, and so she began immunotherapy treatment, and fortunately had a great response. PET scans just three months after her diagnosis confirmed that the tumours were rapidly shrinking, and the large one in her oesophagus had already disappeared completely.

“10 years ago, before immunotherapy, there would have been no treatment options for me. I am only here today because of immunotherapy.”

“We need to start a conversation about our attitude towards the sun, which is why I’ve decided to join MIA’s Speakers’ Hub. Just knowing the five sun safe rules doesn’t seem to be enough – we need to understand how dangerous the sun really is and take more action.”

“Given my experience with melanoma, I hope that I can get across to other Australians that tanning isn’t worth it. You’ll never regret protecting your skin.”