In 2022, Mel Frisby, then 35, was on holiday in Turkey when she decided to jump into the sea from a boat, an act that led to a persistent nosebleed and, she later learned, the initial signs of a rare cancer. Upon returning home to the UK, Frisby noticed a small dent on her nose, which she attributed to the fall. This initial symptom, along with subsequent swelling and misshaping of her nose, was initially disregarded.
Her husband urged her to seek medical attention after noticing the increasing disfigurement. A hospital visit confirmed her nose was not broken, but she was referred to an ear, nose, and throat specialist. Consultants discovered a severe infection in her nostrils, leading to an overnight hospital admission. Further scans revealed that the left side of her nasal bridge was crumbling, and she was diagnosed with osteomyelitis, a bone infection. She underwent surgery to drain the area and began intravenous antibiotics.
Mel Frisby pictured before the diagnosis that changed her life forever.
Despite initial assumptions that she would only require reconstructive surgery, a noticeable lump on her nose grew larger and became painful. After another hospital visit and a CT scan, her consultant performed a biopsy and ordered an MRI. The MRI results confirmed her worst fears, and within three weeks, she received a diagnosis of Stage 3/4 sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma. This type of head and neck cancer can present with easily dismissed symptoms, such as waking with a sore nose or extreme fatigue, which Frisby experienced.
Mel Frisby, whose mother and father both died of cancer, said she felt naive for not recognizing the signs. She explained that her cancer grew outwards, which allowed it to be detected; had it grown towards her brain, it would have been silent. Telling her three children about her diagnosis was particularly difficult, with her youngest children not having heard of cancer before.
Before Mel's diagnosis, her nose appeared increasingly misshapen. Later it emerged that this was a sign of sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma – a type of naval cancer.
She underwent a rhinectomy, a surgery to remove part or all of her nose, the extent of which she only learned upon waking. While her entire nasal bone was removed, the tip and nostrils remained, making her a candidate for reconstruction. Her treatment plan was extensive, involving four reconstructive surgeries, six procedures for infections, and 30 intensive radiotherapy sessions. Doctors used cartilage from her ribs to rebuild her nose.
Mel after one of her surgeries. She endured four reconstructive operations, six procedures to manage infections, and 30 intensive sessions of radiotherapy.
Navigating her altered appearance was challenging, and she struggled to look in the mirror. Two years ago, Frisby shared her story on TikTok, where it garnered millions of views and inspired other survivors. Encouraged by her family, she returned to social media this year to raise awareness about the importance of early diagnosis for this type of cancer.
Mel pictured recently with her reconstructed nose... she shared her story on social media. It soon gained millions of views and inspired other survivors to reach out.
Frisby stated that she is determined to live life to the fullest after her ordeal. She found strength in routines and small achievements to help her cope. Recently, her social media posts led her to connect with another survivor who found a specialized surgeon capable of rebuilding lost nasal bone. Frisby has contacted this surgeon and expressed renewed hope for the future.