Actor and comic Katherine Ryan is speaking out to share that she has been diagnosed with melanoma, a form of skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body – and to remind fans about the importance of advocating for themselves when it comes to medical issues. Initially, Katherine said, her doctor brushed off her concerns.
Having previously been diagnosed with cancer in 2004 and undergoing a procedure to remove a "golf ball-sized" tumour from her thigh, Katherine says she has now had a mole removed from her arm too, after tests confirmed it was "early melanoma".
At first, Katherine said on her podcast, the doctor tried to dismiss the seriousness of her case, but luckily she persisted and part of her mole was eventually removed and tested, confirming it was sinister.
"If you know about melanoma, you'll know it is a deadly form of skin cancer," she said. "It does spread quickly, and I just felt like this mole wasn't right."
Katherine continued on to say that "it's really easy to take a diagnosis of 'you're healthy' and just walk away... But the mole kept changing."
Due to the melanoma being caught early, it's unlikely to have spread.
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"It just feels crazy to me, what could have happened, if I hadn't been my own advocate – and I will continue to be my own advocate," she added, praising Teddi Mellencamp, a reality star from the Real Housewives of Beverley Hills who has publicly shared her difficult experience of melanoma, for being a strong reminder not to accept her doctor's initial diagnosis.
"God bless that woman for being so transparent about her journey," Katherine said.
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer found all over the world, which has increased in number over the last few years, namely (according to Cancer Research UK) due to heightened awareness of the signs and an ageing population. In 2024, a record 20,800 cases were diagnosed in the UK.
Signs of melanoma include a new mole that has appeared suddenly, a mole that itches, bleeds or changes shape, and moles with an unusual texture or shape (jagged borders, rather than smooth ones, may be an indicator).
Learn more about melanoma and the signs to be aware of here.
Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
