Skin cancer [View All]

[no_hypocrisy]

Three years ago, I went to a dermatologist to have an unsightly growth removed from my chin. She asked if I wanted a global (full body) examination to check for skin cancer. She found a suspicious spot (small light brown freckle intersected with a small dark brown freckle), removed it, and it came back Stage I malignant melanoma.

I'm fine. I went to a surgeon who removed more cells which came back negative for cancer.

I caught a break. My cancer was caught early and skin cancer is one of the slowest types to reproduce and metastasize. I now visit twice a year and have had four more (benign) growths removed. The only way to survive skin cancer is to be monitored.

I urge all of you to visit your dermatologists to be examined for cancer and continue to go for follow-up examinations. It's fast and affordable even if you don't have insurance.