I was the barrier: a patient’s perspective of delayed diagnosis of malignant melanoma

A patient describes the experience of delayed presentation of malignant melanoma, highlighting patient-related barriers to timely diagnosis, including atypical lesion appearance, fear of diagnosis and competing professional responsibilities. The accompanying clinician’s comment puts the narrative into context within current UK and Irish epidemiology, emphasizing the prognostic importance of early detection and the need for broader awareness of atypical melanoma presentations.