timeflies
New User
Joined: 14 May 2007
Posts: 3
|
 Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:04 pm Post subject: An Australians message to all about skin cancer |
 |
|
Hello
My name is Rob. I live in Australia. Not so long ago I had a mole cut out of my back and it was tested. The results came back that it was a malignant melanoma. So I went to see a specialist who cut out even more around that same area. This is normal practice for a malignant melanoma.
The melanoma had protruded into the epidermis by 0.6 mm. This gave me approximately a 20% chance that it had spread. I had cat-scans and the like and I am glad to say that it hadn't spread and I was given a clean bill of health in regards to the melanoma.
However, it was discovered that i have a rare condition called Dysplastic Naevis Syndrome. This basically means that i have a lot of moles all over my body and they need to be checked by a specialist every 6 months. I even have a mole in my eye which is checked my an opthalmologist to make sure it is not changing. When a mole becomes dysplastic means that is the first stages of it becoming malignant. If left for too long, a dysplastic naevus could very well become malignant. Every 6 months now i have 2 or 3 moles but off my body. The last one was on the side of my foot. I have scars all over my body as a result of moles cut out, a small price to pay for peace of mind, don't you think?
Australia is well known for having very high concentration of UV rays and therefore the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. When i was a child i was always out in the sun enjoying my childhood as an active teenager. We didn't know about UV rays back then, and how dangerous they were.
I love living here and don't want to leave here. Australia is my home. So this means that I must cover up and now i wear long sleeves and long pants every where i go regardless of the temperature outside.
For me, nothing less is worth the risk.
I have found i actually stay cooler than if i am wearing shorts because the sun hits less of my body and has less of a chance to increase my body temperature.
I am fortunate that i have access to some of the best help in the world.
There is a guy here in Geelong, Victoria who is renowned to be the worlds leading specialist on skin cancer. But he is too far for me to go and see and, even if he was closer, is always off overseas doing seminars on skin cancer. Very difficult (long waiting list) to get an appointment to see this guy.
Not to worry. I go to the next best dermatologist. The state of Queensland where i live has the highest rate of skin cancer in Australia. The doctor i see has the best reputation for skin cancer in Queensland.
I am glad i have all this good help around me, but I am always endebted to the doctor that found my melanoma in the first place. He saved my life. I thanked him for this in a rather emotional meeting with him. He got rather emotional as well and said "No need for thanks. It's just my job." To me, it's more than that. He is my hero.
I had four medical check-ups for work purposes, all within a period of eight months, and, unusually, not until the forth check-up was the melanoma discovered. Some doctors simply don't recognize them.
My suggestion to all is that, if you have the slightest inclination that a mole is suspicious, GET IT CHECKED. And get it checked by the best specialist you know of.
Its your life. And you deserve the best life you can have.
Slip, slop, slap.
Rob.
PS: If this helps just one person then it was well worth my time. |
|
Search 
Email Digests
Register to post
Profile 
Check private messages 
Log in
What is this ?
We subscribe to the HONcode principles. Verify here. All content and posts are copyright.
