You know when something happens and you think, "If only I had known I would have {insert change here}." Well, over the last few years I have thought about that a lot. I have thought about how we used to pester my mom to get her moles checked out but we never really thought too much about it. We didn't push the subject at all despite knowing that her moles made her at risk for skin cancer. You know why? Because we didn't know that skin cancer could kill. I mean, I knew that eventually any cancer will kill you but I thought that skin cancer was more a pesky problem that would mean a day trip to the doctor. I had no idea that there were different kinds of skin cancer and that some were much more serious than others.
Then my mom got melanoma and my world turned upside down. I learned the hard way that one can die of skin cancer. I learned that melanoma, especially the kind my mom had - nodular melanoma - was one of the most aggressive forms of cancer and the deadliest form of skin cancer. I also learned that melanoma does not discriminate. It is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in young people. And by this I mean young - people in their 20s and 30s.
So, I made it a personal mission to inform. To tell people what I wish I had known.
May is Melanoma Awareness month so please, take this opportunity to learn so that one day you won't have to say, "If I had only known".
stop making me cry all the time! :-)
no, it's good that you do. it's better than having my head in the sand all of the time. you are making me think and that is excellent!
Thanks, Julie. I know how hard reality can be but I really wish I had pushed my mom more to get checked out. It may not have made any difference but I truly believe that knowledge is power.
we lost my FIL on New Years Eve. He had a mark on his head that he wouldn't get checked out, and when he did, there was already cancer elsewhere. Oh how I wish he had not ignored that little bump on his forehead......he was 68.
Oh, Julie. I can SO relate. My mom was 67 and full of life! She had so much more to give. By the time she got the "cyst" on her back investigated it was too late. Vigilance is critical.
well that's the thing. There is no reason he should be dead right now. He was an amazing grandpa with 16 grandkids, worked the farm, was an absolute genius....but didn't get that darn bump checked. Just this morning my 4-yr-old said "mama, I really miss Pa".
My son said to me the other day, "Mom, your hands look like Gramma's." I burst into tears! So unfair.
Jen
Just got through to the doc + have an appt to see her Friday morning. About a mole that is, well, very suspicious and worrisome. I'm a redhead with glow-in-the-dark skin and a history of sunburns and...
I have put it off + put it off and worried about it and done nothing at the same time. Doing it now.
Thanks.
GREAT, Pam! Keep us posted.
Because our mom died when she was 38,my sister and I have had mammograms from 28years old. Last December my 34year old sister had a pain. Doctor sent her for a colonoscopy and a large tumor was found. Two days latest she had it removed. She has had 2 more surgeries to get the cancer out. She is now clear. She was an ovarian cancer survivor since she was 21. We have no history of colon cancer. Thank goodness we have the same doctor. The cancer may have gone unnoticed had she not insisted.
Hugs to you Jen and anyone who has lost a mom they adore. I took my lessons and make sure I am tested yearly.
That's it, I'm packing Mr Man off to the doctor to get a spot on his back checked. It's doesn't look like a suspicious one, but still.
Do it, Alice. Even if just for peace of mind.
good one jen
I love sun but it is a little scary.
Great post, lady. Knowledge is power!
Jen, my husband & I just both went to the dermatologist yesterday (yes, I make his appointments, because he just won't do it on his own) & we each had a "spot" removed. The Dr. believes they are nothing, but always better to just check it out. The dr. gave us each a great card that had the ABCDE's of Melanoma.
A - Asymmetry (one half unlike the other half)
B - Border (irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border)
C - Colour (varied from 1 area to another; shades of tan & brown,black; sometimes white, red or blue)
D - Diameter (melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (size of pencil eraser) when diagnosed, although they can be smaller)
E - Evolving (mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size colour or shape)
He also said that any mole or spot that changes over the course of 3 years or less should be checked out.
Help your partner check themselves (& vice versa!) & don't be embarrassed about it.
Thanks so much Jen for bringing this to everyone's attention.
Jen - I have to admit - I saw this on everyone's facebook and I thought 'oh it's going to be one of those jokey things so I won't bother' I'm SO glad that you brought to my attention what it is really about!
We have a family history of melanoma so while I don't always avoid the sun as I should - I know my skin. I get it checked by a doctor regularly and do self checks often. One thing to remember - to augment Margot's awesome list is that moles that are high off your skin aren't the ones you need to worry about - pay particular attention to the flat ones.
What a great piece of film.
Sobering stuff ...
Jen
My sincere thanks -- again. I just got back from the doctor. The suspicious mole is cancer. Basal cell carcinoma.
Although I had the mole removed a couple of weeks ago, I'll be going to a dermatologist (hopefully ASAP) to get more tissue in that area (my shoulder) removed.
And also I will be getting the rest of my fair, freckled, sun damaged skin checked with follow-up.
So thanks. If I hadn't read read your stories, I would not have gone and I'm really, really glad I did.
Pam