Story from Jam Press (Cancer Undiagnosed)
Pictured: Kylie in 2019 before her diagnosis.
Woman told lump on head was ‘skull growth' diagnosed with cancer 20 YEARS later
A woman has shared her harrowing ordeal after being told a lump on her head was “skull growth” which turned into a cancer diagnosis 20 years later.
When Kylie Bartlett, 47, noticed a sizeable lump forming on her scalp, she tried to not let it bother her and continued living life as normal – until it started rapidly growing.
The mum-of-four was referred to a cosmetic surgery for a biopsy, but the day before her operation was booked in, she was diagnosed with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans — a rare soft tissue cancer.
Now, the actor and model is sharing her “terrifying” ordeal in a bid to raise awareness, especially as she was left untreated for over two decades.
“I was terrified, as it had reached an aggressive stage and they needed to operate immediately,” Kylie, who is mum to Kaleb, Viola, Molly, and Audrey told What's The Jam.
“I was so scared I might die and not get to see my husband, Sean, and our four children anymore.
“[Initially], doctors said it was just skull growth – but since then, I’ve found out there is no such thing.
“But I trusted them, even when it kept getting bigger.
"I believe if I’d been sent for a biopsy, I would look normal right now.”
Kylie, from Queensland, Australia, first noticed the lump in the early 2000s and sought out medical advice immediately, but claims she was “dismissed”.
In January 2020, the mum decided to get a second opinion after her hairdresser asked if she was aware of a cyst forming on her head.
She said: "I went to a new doctor, who sent me for an ultrasound and a biopsy.
"Before this, I had no concerns it was cancer.”
Kylie received her diagnosis in May 2020 and had to undergo a major operation to remove the cancerous lump, before her head was reconstructed using the muscles in her back and a skin gra