A viewer noticed something ‘sinister’ about Sue Nicholls in one of the soap’s scenes

Audrey’s dramatic storyline on the cobbles has captivated audiences for years, but it was during a routine evening viewing back in 2011 that Anna Bianconi-Moore spotted something alarming. Anna, a dermatology nurse, noticed a suspicious-looking mole on actress Sue Nicholls’ shoulder that she quickly identified as potential malignant melanoma.

Concerned for the actress’s wellbeing, Moore contacted the programme to urge Nicholls to seek professional medical advice. What caught Moore’s attention when Nicholls appeared in a nightdress during one scene was an irregularly shaped mole on her shoulder.

It was particularly the mottled appearance that raised alarm bells, reports the Express.

Speaking to journalists afterwards, she explained: “I noticed it was irregular in shape and had at least three different colours. These are two of the red-flag signals that distinguish the most deadly form of skin cancer – malignant melanoma.

“I was obviously incredibly worried for Sue, and felt I needed to do something. I wrote that I had observed a sinister-looking lesion and suggested that Sue should see a specialist, sooner rather than later, as it may require urgent attention.”

Moore’s sharp observation was aided by her professional role as a dermatology nurse at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

Upon discovering that the mole had indeed developed into melanoma, ITV issued a statement praising the nurse’s keen observation and its impact on actress Nicholls.

The statement read: “Whilst millions watched the same scene in their living rooms at home, specialist skin care nurse Anna was able to diagnose the blemish as malignant melanoma after pausing the TV and taking a closer look.

“The 55 year old who’s from Suffolk then got in touch with the show to warn Sue to get the mole checked.

“In the end, almost a year passed before Sue had the mole removed and the diagnosis of malignant melanoma was confirmed. The actress then appealed for the viewer to get back in touch.

“The two finally met on the Coronation Street set at the end of May so Sue could thank her in person – for potentially saving her life.”

The Skin Cancer Foundation describes melanoma as a “dangerous” and “serious” type of skin cancer that originates in cells called melanocytes. Its threat lies in how quickly it can spread to other organs if not caught and treated early.

Contrary to what many believe, just 20 to 30 per cent of melanomas develop in existing moles like Nicholls’. The majority – 70 to 80 per cent – appear on seemingly normal skin.

Signs of cancer – how to check your skin and moles

Melanomas vary widely in shape, size and colour. Regardless of appearance, early detection is crucial for successful treatment.

When melanoma penetrates deeper into the skin or spreads elsewhere in the body, it becomes significantly harder to treat and can prove fatal.

The Skin Cancer Foundation employs two key methods — the ABCDEs of melanoma and the Ugly Duckling technique — to help people identify melanoma.

The first serves as a guide for recognising melanoma warning signs:

• A is for Asymmetry. Most melanomas are asymmetrical. If you draw a line through the middle of the lesion, the two halves don’t match, so it looks different from a round to oval and symmetrical common mole.
• B is for Border. Melanoma borders tend to be uneven and may have scalloped or notched edges, while common moles tend to have smoother, more even borders.
• C is for Colour. Multiple colours are a warning sign. While benign moles are usually a single shade of brown, a melanoma may have different shades of brown, tan or black. As it grows, the colours red, white or blue may also appear.
• D is for Diameter or Dark. While it’s ideal to detect a melanoma when it is small, it’s a warning sign if a lesion is the size of a pencil eraser (about six millimetres or larger). Some experts say it is also important to look for any lesion, no matter what size, that is darker than others. Rare, amelanotic melanomas are colourless.
• E is for Evolving. Any change in size, shape, colour or elevation of a spot on your skin, or any new symptom in it, such as bleeding, itching or crusting, may be a warning sign of melanoma.

This underscores the importance of not only looking for abnormalities, but also comparing any questionable spot to nearby moles to see if it appears different. These ugly duckling lesions or outlier lesions may be bigger, smaller, lighter or darker than surrounding moles.

Solitary lesions with no nearby moles for comparison are also classified as ugly ducklings. To identify melanoma, a dermatologist will take a biopsy of the suspicious tissue and send it for laboratory analysis. This process allows the dermatologist to ascertain if cancer cells are present.

Following diagnosis, the treatment plan is determined by factors such as the disease’s stage, the tumour’s location, and the overall health of the patient. Current treatment methods encompass surgical removal, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and chemotherapy.

Thanks to advancements in research, treatment options are enhancing patients’ quality of life and boosting survival rates for those diagnosed with advanced melanoma.