and
Why?
As a reminder to go to a dermatologist once in a while and to use sunscreen. My cousin (who is MY age) just had melanoma removed from her arm. That's SKIN FRIGGIN CANCER!! Scared the (bleep) out of us and sent me straight to my doc. We played whack-a-mole with one I had always lovingly thought of as a beauty mark. I didn't want to part with it, though docs throughout the years have suggested that I should. Thankfully, lab results confirm that it was fine.
It's fairly easy to get looked over (though you may need a referral and it could take a while to get in). I encourage everyone to stop putting it off if you have a mole that you've been wondering about and just set up an appointment. If naughty moles are caught early, it can be very treatable. Unfortunately, once melanoma spreads through the lymph nodes, it can be very difficult to cure. You can live with a little scar. You might not be so lucky with your beauty mark.
For more information on what to look for, click HERE
*to my bloggy friends, I'm woefully behind in my blog reading. I'll catch up and leave comments as I can.
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1 comment:
People don't realize this isn't just a disease that comes from "too much tanning". We have a serious family history. Within 6 weeks of each other, all three of my sibs were diagnosed with various skin cancers. My brother had malignant meleanoma - it has come back twice. We went through the family history, and in my Dad's family, every one of his uncles and aunts and two cousins have died of it. They had mole removed and never went back to have it checked agin - they didn't figure it out until after it had spread.
By the way, my sibs ranged in ages from 22 to 45 when they were diagnosed. Thanks Jen! :)
Steph
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