Had my six month check up today at 8am. The Doc removed a small precancerous growth from my forehead and also removed a growth on my eye lid . She mentioned that just last week four different patients had small moles removed ( none of which looked suspicious) and all four came back with a melanoma finding. Being that I live in Texas and spend lots of time outdoors ( Golf…Pool , jogging andHunting) I am as careful as possible etc. This is just a heads up for anyone here….do not put off regular check ups of any type…..that appointment that you miss or otherwise blow off….just might save your life ! I do not know the four folks who were diagnosed with a melanoma but I sure prayed for their healing when I arrived home. Hope everyone on the board is well and prospering.
OT: Please do not forget to visit your Dermatologist
- Thread starter Whart
- Start date
Just went to the dermatologist for my "annual" checkup last week. The Dr. always seems to find a pre-cancerous growth somewhere on my skin. This time, it was on my left cheek (face). I put annual in quotes, as this was my first checkup since the pandemic started, and I think I had gone just about a year before that started, so it was nearly 3 years since I had last been checked -- not a good thing for me.
Good advice. I had an in-law die from melanoma in her early 60's and I've had 5 basal cell cancers removed through the years.
Squamous cell cancer guy here. Just got it removed surgically in January. scar is healing nicely. I had it easy compared to the other folks in there. They remove it then put a temp bandage on the area and tell you to go wait in the waiting area while they test it to see if they got it all. Then they come out and give you the good news that they got it all and they just need to stitch you up or that they have to remove more. Got mine in one shot. Compared to the folks waiting around and the size of their bandages, I can't stress enough that I had it easy. And yes, get tested regularly.
I'm more of a mountain than beach guy and my dad bod keeps my shirt on most of the time when outdoors. I did get checked out last summer and there was nothing concerning found.
My twin siter (sun worshiper), on the other hand, has had multiple bouts with skin cancer. She recently has some malenoma removed. Beyond the superficial removal in the office, she had to go back in for surgery and they biopsied one of her lymph nodes to see whether the malenoma had spread there. Thankfully, she just found out today that the biopsy of the lympth node turned out negative.
I really don't recommend spending time outside for the sole purpose to "get some sun", but if you do, please wear SPF 100 or the like.
My twin siter (sun worshiper), on the other hand, has had multiple bouts with skin cancer. She recently has some malenoma removed. Beyond the superficial removal in the office, she had to go back in for surgery and they biopsied one of her lymph nodes to see whether the malenoma had spread there. Thankfully, she just found out today that the biopsy of the lympth node turned out negative.
I really don't recommend spending time outside for the sole purpose to "get some sun", but if you do, please wear SPF 100 or the like.
Good advice. As someone with fair skin and a bald head I can't recommend sunblock/moisturizer enough.
Good advice. I had a relatively small mole removed from my chest 15 years ago, which the doctors were initially not too concerned about. But to me, it had the “ugly duckling” effect, meaning it simply looked quite different than any other mole I had on my body.
Lo & behold, it was melanoma. But because I caught it quickly, it was able to be excised easily without any evidence of it spreading into my bloodstream. I’ve since been on regimen of initially bi-annual checkups and now annual, having a few more moles taken off along the way, but none cancerous.
Lo & behold, it was melanoma. But because I caught it quickly, it was able to be excised easily without any evidence of it spreading into my bloodstream. I’ve since been on regimen of initially bi-annual checkups and now annual, having a few more moles taken off along the way, but none cancerous.
My sister (see post above) has to go back every three months for the next five years.
Great advise. As an avid golfer, I see my dermatologist every 6 months. Even did so during the pandemic.
I had two removed in January, one basil cell on my neck and one squamous cell on my lip which turned out to be larger than anticipated. But with molhs surgery it’s cosmetically impossibly to tell that I had anything done, although I lost some sensation there. At any rate. I second what everyone has recommended. Especially if you’re over 50, those sunburns you had as a teenager will come back and haunt you now. Get checked. This form of cancer is extremely curable but it’s still cancer.
Howdy Ohio….I look forward to hearing an “ all clear “ from you on your upcoming procedures.
I just went back after a COVID absence ..... I have never had any issues thankfully.
I have them remove everything so if a problem, they get them well in advance.
I have them remove everything so if a problem, they get them well in advance.
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