Mom, 37, Dies of Skin Cancer After Doctors Said Her Mole Was ‘Nothing to Worry About’

**Mother of Two Dies After Melanoma Misdiagnosis Amid Growing Awareness Campaign**

A mother of two from Plymouth has tragically passed away from melanoma after her concerns about a changing mole were repeatedly dismissed by medical professionals. Josie Thompson, aged 37, was initially reassured that her condition was not severe, but her diagnosis took a grave turn that has now ignited a campaign for better awareness and check-ups regarding skin cancer.

In the summer of 2022, Josie noticed that a mole on her back had changed shape and colour, prompting her to consult with a doctor. Following a referral to a dermatologist, she underwent an excision, during which she was assured that future complications were unlikely. However, just months later, the mole began to regrow through scar tissue.

Despite her growing concerns and requests for more thorough testing, health professionals dismissed her need for further scans, insisting the mole was non-cancerous. This left Josie only with the option of a second removal, which involved a more extensive procedure.

By March 2023, after experiencing the mole’s recurrence for a third time, Josie finally received a CT scan and biopsy referral. However, it would take eight months for the results to be communicated to her. She received the devastating news while out with her daughters, Rebecca, aged ten, and six-year-old Sophie. The diagnosis confirmed that she was suffering from stage three melanoma, a particularly aggressive form of skin cancer capable of spreading rapidly.

Her sister, Jade Thompson, has expressed profound anger regarding the initial misdiagnosis. “They told her the mole was nothing to worry about,” Jade said, reflecting on the family’s disbelief upon learning the severity of Josie’s condition. “It was the biggest shock to learn, after eight long months, that she had stage three melanoma which had already spread to her lymphatic system. We were told for so long everything was okay.”

In March 2025, Josie was set to begin immunotherapy, a treatment designed to bolster the body’s immune response to the cancer. Unfortunately, the treatment led to complications, and she developed myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disorder known for causing muscle weakness that can severely impact one’s ability to breathe and perform daily tasks.

Jade noted the deterioration in Josie’s condition during this period, describing how she faced neurological changes that left her in intensive care. “She started noticing difficulties in her breathing, her eyes drooped, and she had trouble with movement,” Jade recalled. “It became so severe that she had to be placed in ICU.”

As her health continued to deteriorate, medical professionals decided it was too risky to proceed with the immunotherapy, and further testing revealed that the cancer had metastasised to her liver, lungs, and spine. “We did everything we could,” Jade remarked, highlighting the family’s desperate search for treatment options. “We reached out to doctors worldwide and tried every route possible. She fought every single day for her girls. It was heart-wrenching to see her lose so much to this disease, yet her spirit remained indomitable.”

Josie ultimately entered hospice care where she spent her final months surrounded by family before passing away on 28 March 2026. Prior to her death, Josie established a Facebook group named “Josie’s Journey,” aimed at raising awareness about melanoma and advocating for regular skin checks.

Jade has since hailed her sister as an “incredible fighter” and is striving to continue Josie’s legacy through a fundraising initiative in her honour. “It makes me so proud to know that she has saved lives,” Jade expressed. “For her, it was always about helping others. She would often say, ‘If this can save one life, it’s worth it,’ and that’s exactly what she did.”

Josie’s story has highlighted the crucial need for individuals to pay careful attention to changes in their skin and seek medical evaluations when concerns arise. As awareness of melanoma and its potential severity grows through Josie’s efforts, her sister hopes that others will benefit from the insights gained through this heartbreaking experience.