Young Melanoma Patient Says Listening to Her Body Saved Her Life
Key takeaways:
- Doctors at Moffitt Cancer Center found Alexis Cole’s melanoma diagnosis was more serious after it spread to a lymph node
- After more than a year of immunotherapy and surgeries, Cole's scans showed no evidence of disease, and she rang the bell to mark the end of treatment
- Now 25, Cole urges young adults to wear sunscreen and get new or changing skin spots checked after trusting her instincts helped lead to her diagnosis
Alexis Cole says she is grateful she trusted her instincts after noticing a small, dark spot on her right shoulder in December 2024.
The spot appeared round and evenly colored, but it looked unusual against the rest of her skin. A dermatologist initially told her it was precancerous but additional pathology revealed a more serious melanoma diagnosis.
Alexis Cole says she never wanted to give up hope while undergoing treatment for melanoma.
Her treatment plan quickly changed from what she thought was a routine surgery to more than a year of treatments that challenged her physically and mentally.
An Unexpected Turn
Shortly before arriving at Moffitt Cancer Center, Cole brought up a swollen lymph node under her arm. A biopsy at Moffitt confirmed that the melanoma had spread, advancing her diagnosis to stage 3.
At the time, Cole believed skin cancer was primarily a concern for older adults. She worked from home, regularly wore sunscreen and didn't think she spent much time in the sun. The diagnosis left her afraid and confused.
Cole poses with her mother on graduation day.The emotional weight was compounded by the passing of her mother from esophageal cancer early last year. Cole said her family learned of her mother’s diagnosis only 13 days before she died.
On top of the grief, Cole drew strength from her mother, who worked as a nurse and encouraged her children to take their health seriously.
“She always taught us to be very vigilant about things, and that it’s not a waste of time to go to the doctor if you think something’s wrong, so I definitely thought about her,” Cole said.
Cole and her husband celebrated after she rang the bell in May.
Road to Remission
Cole's treatment began with immunotherapy before surgery. After experiencing immune-related side effects, doctors changed her treatment plan, performing additional surgeries to remove cancerous lymph nodes before she finished a year of preventive immunotherapy to reduce the risk of recurrence.
She spent months traveling from Wimauma to Moffitt every few weeks for appointments, blood work and infusions, all while working full-time.
“It was really hard to keep up with everything,” Cole said. “Sometimes I would get there at 8 a.m. and not leave until 5 or 6 p.m.”
However, more than a year after beginning treatment, her scans showed no evidence of disease, allowing her to ring the bell in May 2026 to mark the completion of treatment.
Ringing the Bell for Mom
The milestone was joyful but complicated. Cole said ringing the bell closed one chapter, but it did not erase the emotional impact of cancer.
Among one of Cole's fondest memories is the day of her wedding with her mother by her side.
“She didn’t get to make it into Moffitt,” Cole said. “I got to make it for her. I rang the bell for us, and I know she’s watching.”
Now 25, Cole has become an advocate encouraging young adults to protect their skin, wear sunscreen and pay attention to any suspicious spots.
Cole said the impact of her cancer journey may stay with her, but she hasn't faced it alone. Her husband, family and friends have supported her since her diagnosis, and she’ll always draw strength from memories of her mother.
“I know that she would be proud,” Cole said.
Free Cancer Screenings This Saturday
Moffitt Cancer Center’s Mole Patrol® will offer free skin cancer screenings Saturday, July 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pier 60 in Clearwater Beach. Free head, neck and oral cancer screenings will also be available. No insurance is required. This marks the 30th anniversary of Mole Patrol.
