On World Cancer Day, Teddi Mellencamp shared a brave photo of the Z-shaped scar on her back and issued a public plea to fans. The star took the opportunity to remind fans just how crucial an annual skin cancer check can be as she shared her own experience. The 43 year old shared the candid snaps on her Instagram page and captioned the post: "It's #worldcancerday so I'd like to remind you to get your skin checks scheduled", accompanied by a video from her appearance on the Him & Her Show podcast with Lauryn and Michael Bostick.
"If this is your first time seeing this, I recently shared my full melanoma journey on @tscpodcast. Give it a listen when you have a chance. If it's not your first time, I hope it's a good reminder. Who's making their appointment today?" In an Instagram clip, the reality star asked "have you seen my back?" explaining she had always had a "ginormous patch" on her shoulder - "I was born with it". Teddi began to develop growths that "almost look[ed] like sunspots".
The former Real Housewife of Beverly Hills star recalled that it was Kyle Richards and friend Jen that insisted she have them checked after her friends saw her back on a run and said: "Teddi, the things on your back. You're going to the doctor". Teddi admitted she hadn't taken the growths seriously at the time at the time, adding that she "didn't know that skin cancer was a big deal". Her doctor eventually told her she would need to see an oncologist, but began treatment immediately, telling Teddi he was "going to cut one out and start this process" then and there. The Real Housewife received a stage two melanoma diagnosis in 2022, which is the most dangerous type of skin cancer and kills nearly 10,000 people per year.
The Centers for Disease Control states that melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in men and the sixth in women. The star guessed that since her diagnosis three years ago, she has undergone 20 surgeries to fight the growths. The largest operation took place in December 2023 and was a, "wide excision for melanoma and soft tissue defect reconstruction with adjacent tissue rearrangement" reported E! News. Following the procedure, Teddi was left with a lightning shaped scar across her shoulder and back.
In January last year, she revealed she was in remission but would still be required to attend check-ups every three months, saying they were "never easy". Fans flooded the comments with their thanks and relating stories as one claimed the star kept them "accountable" and another added that she felt inspired by the star who "first started sharing it right around the same time" she was diagnosed. "I had my 4th Basal Cell and another pre-cancer removed 2 weeks ago," commented another fan with cancer. "I get seen every 6 months! You are one my biggest reasons and I am so grateful for your transparency and advocacy! Stay strong, always!!!".
Recently evacuating her home during the LA fires — Teddi's latest check-up last month was doubly emotional as she shared with fans that it was "the first time in over two years" where she did not have to have a biopsy because of another cancerous spot. She experiences a moment of shock with her doctor when they realised she had no spots to be biopsied - which was "such a good feeling" and was "grateful" to all who have helped her throughout the process.
Planning to return to her doctors' in March, she aims to "stay diligent" and said: "This should be a reminder to all of you guys, please, please, book your skin checks, book your mammograms, book your OB/GYN appointments, book your eye doctor appointments". "As long as you're here, I have a reason to keep advocating for myself and for others," she promised. The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.
