His wife sent him to the dermatologist covered in pen marks — and she may have caught cancer early
One Utah couple is going viral after a simple idea turned into a potentially lifesaving move.
Brinlee Miles, 20, had grown uneasy about several moles on her husband Ryan’s chest and back—especially knowing skin cancer runs in his family. So before his long-overdue dermatology appointment, she grabbed a pen and circled every spot she thought deserved extra attention.
What she didn’t anticipate was the dermatologist appreciating her effort so much that they added their own markings beside hers.
A TikTok idea that took off
Brinlee shared the process in a TikTok video that has now surpassed 11 million views. The clip shows Ryan standing shirtless, covered in circles, before heading into the clinic. Later, he appears again holding the paperwork from the exam—and with new, professionally added markings across his torso.
The doctor labeled four moles as harmless, but two required closer examination, prompting immediate biopsies.
Her instincts were right
Speaking with BuzzFeed, Brinlee explained that she wasn’t trying to be dramatic—she was simply paying attention.
“The mole on his chest had early cancer cells and needs to come off soon,” she said.
She’d been monitoring a few spots for a while and wanted the dermatologist to see exactly which ones she and Ryan were worried about, especially the ones he couldn’t easily view himself.
The biopsy confirmed the chest mole was in the early stages of skin cancer. One mole on his back appeared normal for now but will be watched for future changes.
Experts say more spouses should do this
Surprisingly, professionals say Brinlee’s method is anything but unusual.
Dermatology workers flooded her comments with praise:
“As a Derm nurse, we love when this happens!” — Janae Walker
“You’d be shocked how often husbands show up with circles drawn by their wives.” — TikTok user & dermatology employee
Some even noted they see the trend weekly—usually with wives pushing their partners into the exam room just in time.
Why it matters: early checks save lives
Among the lighthearted comments came emotional reminders from people who know the stakes.
“As a person who lost my husband to melanoma, THANK YOU for getting skin checks.”
Others echoed that it’s incredibly easy to miss suspicious spots on your own body, especially on your back.
Dermatology professionals say having a partner help look for changes—and pointing them out clearly—can lead to faster evaluations and better outcomes.
A simple habit with big impact
What started as a playful approach ended up catching a dangerous mole before it developed into something far more serious. Brinlee’s extra-vigilant method is now inspiring millions to check their own skin—and their partner’s.
If you’ve been putting off a dermatology visit or haven’t done a full-body skin check lately, consider this your nudge. Sometimes all it takes is a pen, a second pair of eyes, and a little persistence.