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Woman, 33, Has Small Pimple for Two Years, Then Comes Shock Diagnosis
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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When Rachel Archer noticed a small pimple on her forehead, she thought nothing of it—having acne-prone skin, she was used to it. But when it didn't disappear and started to bleed six months ago, she began to worry.
The 33-year-old, who lives in North Carolina, sought medical advice and was initially told she was too young for cancer, sent away with the theory that it was a scratched mosquito bite. The next month, she returned to the doctor and was sent for a biopsy.
Archer was diagnosed with the most common type of skin cancer, called basal cell carcinoma (BCC), often caused by sun exposure. The American Cancer Society (ACS) states roughly 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers diagnosed each year in the U.S.
After posting her journey online @racheltemac, she told Newsweek: "When you are younger you don't think about the risks of being in the sun too long and getting sun burnt so I believe seeing a video of what it would be like to get skin cancer would be helpful for younger people, so they are more careful!
"I think it's good for people to see that you can get skin cancer even at a younger age and you need to be careful, or you could get skin cancer too!"
(L-R) Archer before the diagnosis and a close up of the pimple on her forehead.
(L-R) Archer before the diagnosis and a close up of the pimple on her forehead.
TikTok/@racheltemac
Speaking about her own relationship with the sun, the mom of three explained that she only started using sunscreen in her late twenties. She also used tanning beds a handful of times.
With no family history of cancer, Archer described the diagnosis as "surreal."
"Especially at my age," she said.
In a TikTok clip shared on June 15, Archer can be seen with a large round scab on her forehead. This is from six weeks of a chemotherapy topical solution called Imiquimod.
The ACS states it is a prescription cream that you can put on during very early-stage skin cancers (like some basal cell cancers). It works by triggering your body's immune system to attack and get rid of the abnormal skin cells. You usually put it on the affected area several times a week for a few weeks, but exactly how often depends on your doctor's instructions.
"It was applied multiple times a week for six weeks," explained Archer. "The treatment caused my skin to react by bleeding and scabbing up. It felt like my skin was being burned off and it's possible that is what was happening."
Today, she never leaves the house without Sun Protection Factor (SPF), and encourages others to do the same.
In the clip, which has 1.2 million views, she says: "There's no excuses to lay out and get burned" with the number of products that contain sunscreen that are now available.
What Are the Warning Signs of Skin Cancer?
Newsweek spoke to Dr. Hannah Kopelman, a dermatologist clinically trained in cutaneous oncology at Boston University and in hair loss at Columbia University.
She said: "Skin cancer doesn't always look dramatic or obvious. It can start as something that seems harmless—a tiny pimple that doesn't heal, a rough patch that keeps coming back, or a mole that slowly changes over time."
She explained the key signs to look for are referred to as ABCDEs of melanoma:
Asymmetry
Irregular borders
Color variation
Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and evolution or change.
She added: "But even beyond that, any lesion that bleeds, crusts, itches, or lingers longer than a month without healing is worth getting checked. Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it's always better to get it evaluated."
If a spot doesn't heal within four to six weeks, Kopelman, who practices in New York at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery, encourages people to sought medical advice.
(L-R) Archer was left with a large scab on her forehead following chemotherapy.
(L-R) Archer was left with a large scab on her forehead following chemotherapy.
Rachel Archer
Advice for People Who Are Dismissed Because of Their Age
Kopelman told Newsweek: "This part really hits home for me because I've had young patients come in after being told they're 'too young' for skin cancer. I want to be very clear: skin cancer does not discriminate by age. I've diagnosed aggressive forms of melanoma in patients in their 20s and even late teens. If you feel like your concerns are being brushed off, please don't give up.
"You have every right to advocate for your health. Seek a second opinion—preferably with a board-certified dermatologist—and keep pushing until you're heard. You know your body better than anyone, and early detection saves lives."
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