„Now I live with stage four metastatic melanoma, fighting for my life every day and looking for treatments that could save me,“ she said in a video released in May, marking Melanoma Awareness Month.
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Alondra died on July 17 this year. Until then, she underwent surgeries, immunotherapy, radiation, and other treatments to try to stop the disease.
„Skin cancer doesn’t care how old you are. It doesn’t care how healthy you feel. It doesn’t wait. So please – don’t be afraid of inconvenience and get checked,“ the woman said.
She emphasized the importance of examining the entire body’s skin: „You have to check all your skin. I don’t want your story to become like mine.“
A spot on the forehead began to change
In 2019, A. Sierra noticed a freckle starting to form on her forehead. At first, it was light, but later it darkened.
The woman said she never thought it could be cancer. She was only diagnosed with melanoma in 2022.
Melanoma is considered the most dangerous form of skin cancer because it can grow quickly and spread to other organs. In the US, more than 8,500 people die from it annually. It is also one of the most common cancers among women under 30, and its incidence is increasing.
When A. Sierra was diagnosed, the tumor had already spread rapidly. To control the cancer, she underwent several procedures and received various treatments.
„I probably wouldn’t have had to endure so much if I had seen a doctor or dermatologist and checked my skin and nails annually,“ she said.
In 2024, the woman learned that the cancer had spread throughout her body – to the skull, pelvis, spine, ribs, back, and abdominal area.
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She started immunotherapy, but in January this year, A. Sierra reported that the treatment was ineffective. In June, her family announced that she began brain radiation therapy.
Urged not to delay skin checks
For the past four years, A. Sierra has tried to speak as much as possible about skin cancer, sun protection, and the importance of regular check-ups.
She encouraged the use of ultraviolet protection products and warned against artificial UV sources, including nail lamps. She spoke about prevention even while being treated for advanced cancer.
„I wish this month meant a celebration. But for me, it means survival. Unfortunately, that is my reality now,“ she said in May.
A. Sierra urged people of all ages to carefully examine their skin from head to toe: „That mole, freckle, or spot that changes color, shape, or size. You notice it but postpone the check. Scalp, behind the ears, back, breasts, feet, genitals – every centimeter matters.“
By sharing her story, the young woman hoped others would get the information she lacked and detect the disease earlier. „Early detection is not just important – it is everything,“ emphasized A. Sierra.
What signs to watch for?
Dermatologists recommend following the so-called ABCDE rule when evaluating suspicious moles or skin spots:
A (Asymmetry) – asymmetry. One half of the mole differs from the other.
B (Border irregularity) – uneven edges. The mole’s borders are irregular or blurred.
C (Color variation) – color changes. Several different shades are visible in one lesion.
D (Diameter) – diameter. The spot or mole is larger than 6 millimeters.
E (Evolving) – change. The lesion’s size, shape, color, or appearance changes.
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