Woman told head lump was 'skull growth' diagnosed with cancer 20 years later

13 March 2024 , 20:15

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Kylie Barltett, 47, waited two decades before being told the lump on her head was cancerous (Image: Jam Press/Kylie Barlett/@thewiga)

A woman who was advised the lump on her head was "skull growth" by doctors was diagnosed with cancer, some 20 years later.

When Kylie Barltett, 47, noticed a lump on her scalp she initially tried not to let it interfere her normal life but eventually it started to grow at a rapid rate. The mum-of-four was referred for a biopsy but the day before her surgery was diagnosed with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans — a rare soft tissue cancer.

The actor and mum is sharing her story to create awareness of her "terrifying" ordeal, especially as she was left untreated for two decades. She said: "I was terrified, as it had reached an aggressive stage and they needed to operate immediately." Kylie said she was "scared" of dying and not being able to see her husband or four children again. The initial diagnosis of "skull growth," has been debunked too, with Kylie being told "there is no such thing."

Despite the lump growing, Kylie said she "trusted" doctors who had advised her it about it being skull growth, however now she says: "I believe if I'd been sent for biopsy, I would look normal right now." Kylie, who is from Queensland, Australia said she first brought the lump to the attention of a medical professional in the 2000s and claims she was "dismissed." However, in January 2020 the mum decided to get a secondary opinion after being asked by her hairdresser if she was aware of a cyst forming on her head.

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 (Jam Press/Kylie Barlett/@thewiga)

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." In May 2020, Kylie was diagnosed and had to undergo major surgery to remove the cancerous lump before her head was reconstructed using the muscles in her back and a skin graft from her leg. Whilst there was a painful recovery ahead, Kylie was overjoyed to be alive. The mum said whilst having no head pain because her nerve ending had been cut she had to endure two drains coming out of her back and a lot of stitches.

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She said it was "impossible," to move, cough or move properly, whilst also being in pain from her leg because of the skin graft. The mum said she wasn't a "fan of mirrors" as the surgery left a "huge bald spot" on the back of her head, she added that she had "panic attacks" because she was scared of looking the mirror to see her reflection. Kylie said she "struggled" to "prepare mentally" for what she would look like post-surgery. Not being a fan of wigs, she thought she would spend the rest of her life covering her hair wearing beanies, however after trying a few wigs out with a friend she soon changed her mind.

Kylie how has over 10,000 followers on instagram who she shares wig reviews with (Jam Press/Kylie Barlett/@thewiga)

Trying on different wigs with her friend was a breakthrough for Kylie, she said she tried on all types of wigs including "fluorescent pink," wigs and blonde ones. She said: "I laughed and laughed – it was the first real laugh I'd had in months; my life had become so serious." She decided that if she wore wigs they would be a different colour each day, this led to a wider social media community on Instagram connecting with other women suffering from hair loss. That's how she became "hooked," she wanted to wear different wigs and then review them to give back to the community she had discovered.

Now, Kylie known as @thewigandi on Instagram has amassed more than 10,000 followers where she posts reviews and shares her experience whilst still tackling her demons and struggles to accept how she looks post-cancer. Kylie ways that sometimes she still feels "hideous," and doesn't want to frighten people, especially when she sees the scar on the side of her head she's left "speechless." She said: "This isn't how anyone would want to look and sometimes it just hurts so much."

She added that she still prepares those around her when she is going to remove her wig and added that it will take a "long time" to accept what happened to her. She said: "I had never ever heard of [this cancer] before my diagnosis." Kylie says she wants to raise awareness and make sure others get lumps checked and ask for a second opinion. She said: "Detecting the cancer when I did saved my life, as it's given me more time."

Molly Pennington