DID YOU KNOW THAT MAY WAS SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH?
M y E xperience with M elanoma — A bby P rescott
With over 5 million cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer experienced by the American population. Due to the lack of awareness and subsequent prevalence of this kind of cancer, the Skin Cancer Foundation named May Skin Cancer Awareness Month with the hope of making prevention strategies better known and understood, gathering funding for the creation of lifesaving programs, and giving those who have been diagnosed a platform to share their story and connect with people in similar situations. While I grew up knowing that skin cancer was widespread, I never imagined that I would have to deal with it myself. But just two years ago, I was diagnosed with melanoma, a form of skin cancer that arises when the pigment-producing cells mutate and become cancerous. It is also known both in the medical community and society at large as the most serious form of skin cancer due to how quickly it can spread. Fortunately, my dermatologist detected and biopsied my cancerous mole early, and I was able to have an in-office procedure to have it removed. While I am very thankful for my cancer’s early detection and quick treatment, I still don’t feel 100% comfortable opening up to people about my experience. Writing this article was a challenging process. But I figured if my story could help educate others, then I’d better do my part to share. When I was pregnant with my first daughter back in 2007, I developed cystic acne under my jaw line. With all the hormones associated with pregnancy, I wasn’t too worried about it. I assumed that with time, it would go away. Ten years and another daughter later, it was still there, so I went to a dermatologist to get some answers. While I was there, she asked me if I would be interested in doing a cancer screening. I figured, “Why not?” While they determined that none of my moles looked alarming, they took three for biopsy just in case. Five days later, I received a call from their office informing me that one of my moles was, in fact, melanoma. Because the cancer hadn’t metastasized, they could do slow Mohs procedure, which requires a surgeon to remove the visible skin cancer and a bit of normal-looking skin around it, and then test to make sure they had clear margins in removing it. While this treatment is much more ideal than having to undergo multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation as millions of others have had to suffer through, the “slow” part of the Mohs procedure stems from the fact that it takes longer for the surgeon to get the results. I had to wait 11 days after the procedure to hear whether or not they had retrieved all of the cancer from my body. It was the longest 11 days of my life. By the grace of God and the precise work of my doctors, I was cancer free. While the whole process of being diagnosed, undergoing treatment, and then waiting for the results definately left me with some residual mental and emotional strains that I’ve spent months navigating, I now only have to go in for follow-up appointments once every six months.
the reality of a melanoma diagnosis, I’m asking you all to take my advice to heart. If you are planning on spending time outside, wear protective clothing and a hat, reapply sunscreen that is at least 30 SPF every 80 minutes, and go in for check-ups at least once a year. Additionally, if you notice any unusual moles anywhere on your body, make sure that you have them checked as soon as possible. If you aren’t sure whether or not a mole is unusual, try the ABCDE test:
• A is for asymmetrical shape. Look for moles with irregular shapes, such as two very different-looking halves.
• B is for irregular border. Look for moles with irregular, notched, or scalloped borders — all of which are characteristics of melanomas.
• C is for changes in color. Look for growths that have many colors or an uneven distribution of color.
• D is for diameter. Look for new growth in any mole larger than 1/4 inch (about 6 millimeters)
• E is for evolving. Look for changes over time, such as changes in size, color, or shape. Moles may also develop new signs and symptoms, such as itchiness or bleeding. Thank you all for taking the time to read my story. For your sake and your family’s sake, please learn as much as you can about skin cancer signs and symptoms, and take care of yourself.
I tell you all this because even though skin cancer is surprisingly common, few people do anything to prevent it. As someone who has dealt with
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