Yesterday, soon after arriving at the office, I learned that one of my fellow Realtor friends has melanoma; the deadliest form of skin cancer. And, it has already gone to Stage 4. From what I understand, he let the itchy, bleeding mole on his belly go far to long before seeking medical attention.
Melanoma begins in the cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its color. Though it isn't exactly known what causes Melanoma, experts believe that most cases are caused from sun exposure or from tanning beds (UV rays). I know as a kid, I plopped down on the sand more times that I can recall, trying to achieve the deepest, darkest tan ever! And I now know it could just be a matter of time before my damaged skin turns on me.
My closest experience to this killer “mole” was a decade ago when my husband and I were on vacation. He was driving and I looked down at his knee--he was wearing shorts-- and I noticed an unusual mole. It was flat and dark and had an odd glazed appearance. I said, “That looks like cancer!” He shook his head and replied, “Oh, I've had that for years…” brushing off the thought that is was anything more than an old mole .
As soon as we got home from our trip, I made him an appointment and when the doctor peered down at the mole, he quickly glanced up at my husband and said, “Your wife probably saved your life. I'm almost positive this is a melanoma.”
…and it was. It turned out to be a Stage 3. There are four stages to melanoma. The higher the number, the bleaker the outlook.
Within days, David was in surgery and had a piece of flesh six inches long, two inches wide and at least an inch deep removed from his knee where the once pencil eraser-sized mole had been. Now he must be checked yearly to make certain that “it” (the cancer) hasn't come back and is still at bay.
My friend's melanoma has gone into his lympnodes, which were also removed at the time of the melanoma surgery. This is not a good thing. This may mean that the cancer had indeed spread. Though his doctors are hopeful they “got it all” they cannot be certain. One never knows with any kind of cancer, and there are never any guarantees that a cancer will or will not reappear elsewhere in the body at some point in time.
Of all the things I've read and learned during my husband's experience, here are the best pieces of information I can pass on. Watch for any change in a mole, like when or if it becomes itchy, begins growing or is bleeding.
Follow this A-B-C-D-E guideline:
A. Asymmetrical shape (irregular)
B. Border (irregular or, and, jagged)
C. Change in color
D. Diameter: ¼ inch or larger
E. Evolving: growing and changing
Become acquainted with your body. Get to know every inch of it. Look carefully at ALL your moles and check them monthly. Try to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Stay out of tanning beds. There are some wonderful products on the market that will give you that “tan” look without damaging your skin.
The best advise of all, however , When in doubt about a mole; GET IT CHECKED OUT. It could save your life or the life of a loved one.
