Lesson of the Day

Below is a post I read today that might offer you some information on how melanoma is often downplayed, ignored, and mistreated...in hopes that you do not make the same mistake. Education is our best resource to be sure melanoma and other cancers are detected and treated early. I do not know how old this woman's husband is. The blue is her talking, and the red are my comments.

1. One year ago we went to GP (general practitioner) to have him look at mole on my husband’s neck. He said don't worry about it. I can't begin to tell you the number of melanoma patients I know whose melanoma was first defined by a general practitioner as nothing. In my own opinion, a great general practitioner is going to take off any spot that you are uncomfortable with and send it for pathology. Please don't take the word of a doctor who is not an expert in skin issues on whether something is of concern.

2. On another unrelated issue he asked about it again and Dr. said again not to worry. 2nd red flag. Who is in charge of your healthcare?

3. 5 months later the mole starts to itch and change rapidly.4. Dr. does a Shave incision and Cauterizes it. Both apparently a no-no. I don't have information on these procedures that I feel I can add, other than to say that a shave biopsy is pretty standard. He ended up destroying depth info. Another reason to consider seeing a skin doc about a skin issue. I hate to say this though, because there are many great doctors out there who are not "officially" trained in skin issues, who would do a wonder job and know all the right things to do. So I just tell you this to be sure you carefully consider what you decide to do.

4. Also did not make a detailed report on where the mole sat on his neck. Another reason why everyone should see a dermatologist. They will map any spots as a baseline, then they can compare it in future appointments. This is another good reason to take pictures of places on your body, and to have a loved one help you double check hard to see places like your back and scalp.

5. A week passes and a nurse calls and says it is Melanoma and refers us out. We set appointment with a Melanoma Plastic Surgeon.

6. By the time surgery rolls around the place where the mole was (on neck) it had totally healed. We had to really guess where it was - his skin is very freckly and patchy so it made it very hard.

FAST FORWARD to a few weeks ago.

1. Hubby saw himself on an old promotional video from work and could clearly see where the mole was. He had someone print a still of the photo. Another plug for photos of moles...

2. We took it into the surgeon who says no-way did we get the right spot and another surgery would have to be done.

We are upset because really it's been 6 month since the mole was removed and ultimately no other procedure has been done. Not sure how this story will turn out, but happy to see it had only been 6 months. Often times, stories include someone that a few years have passed and other symptoms arise, and then the word melanoma creeps into their life at an alarming rate, instead of being something that could have been dealt with in the first place.

Moral of the story: Don't mess around with suspicious spots or other symptoms. Often the results will be that there is a logical cause unrelated to cancer. And if it is cancer of any kind, early diagnosis is vital in survival.