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Dayanara Torres, a former Miss Universe, a Puerto Rican actress, an ex-wife of actor Marc Anthony, and fiancée of Louis D’Esposito (from Marvel Studios), has sadly revealed her skin cancer diagnosis. Only 44 years old, Dayanara said she found a big mole but never paid much attention to it because the mole never bothered her.
Her partner Louis, however, kept insisting she needed to have it checked and eventually she agreed to appease him. Unfortunately, his suspicions turned out to be true and the doctor diagnosed Torres with skin cancer (melanoma) after undergoing a biopsy and two surgeries.
Dayanara admits it is a scary time in her life while she waits for the next step to see what treatment she is going to need. The cancerous mole was removed, as well as parts from the back of her kneed and they took out two lymph nodes which the cancer had already spread to. Her biggest hope is that the cancer does not further spread to her internal organs.
What exactly is melanoma?
Melanoma accounts for a small percent of skin cancers, which carries a higher risk of spreading throughout the body. It is a cancer than starts in a specific cell in the top layer of the skin. While this cancerous cell develops, it discolors, creating brown pigment (melanin). A melonama can occur anywhere on the skin, although in women, they are commonly found on the legs, neck, and face.
The most obvious cause of skin cancer is overexposure to ultraviolet rays, such as sunlight or overuse of tanning beds. If you are prone to developing moles, or you have freckles or fair skin or freckles, your skin cancer risk could be somewhat higher than the average person.
Prevention is better than cure, so it is vital to be responsible with the amount of time you spend in the sun if you’re uncovered. Always use a sun protection moisturizer and do consistent checks on your body for moles that are changing in size, shape, color, or evolving in any way.
As Dayanara quoted on Instagram, “If you see or feel something different in your body, have it checked,” she wrote. “I had no idea skin cancer could spread anywhere else in your body.”