May is Melanoma Awareness Month Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. It affects more than 5 million people each year. Skin cancer: cancer you can see. Be proactive. Do skin exams monthly: they visually remind you to pay attention to your skin. Note any new or changing moles or unusual lesions. I am a melanoma survivor and grateful that early detection saved my life. I understand the ABCDEs of melanoma. It is essential to spot any potential skin cancers early. I just had my annual total body skin exam with my dermatology group. The yearly exam supplements my at-home skin checks. Trust your instincts. You know your skin better than anyone. If you notice anything that you think is suspicious, get it checked. Do not allow a doctor to freeze or scrape that lesion off! Instead, insist that the doctor biopsy and report the results. A skin biopsy is the best way to detect and treat early skin cancer before they have a chance to escalate. Awareness + Education I am a member of the Skin Cancer Foundation. I support educational outreach efforts for skin cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. Learn more about how to […]
Read moreUgly Ducklings Moles – Part Two – A Revelation
In part one of my Ugly Ducklings story, I explained the process and reasons I went through having three moles , aka Ugly Ducklings, biopsied and tested. My story turned from being alarmed at the doctor’s findings to anger when I realized that there was a coverup of a sloppy lab process. I was lead to believe I had potentially cancerous growths that needed retesting only to find out the lab messed up the test. Not atypical, but typical!
Read moreMy Skin Cancer Anniversary – Lessons Learned
Anniversary is a thing to celebrate and to remember. Sounds strange that I celebrate my Melanoma diagnosis and use this to remember my experiences. What I learned then and know now is that I am in charge of my health and well-being.
My doctors have all earned a basic level of my trust. The keyword is basic! I never let down my guard and question everything I hear. I respect the doctors I have chosen, but I do not treat them like gods. I have way too many experiences where what they thought or said was just wrong.
Read moreMelanoma Awareness – Important
The list is long. Dianne Keaton, Melanie Griffith, Hugh Jackman, and Anderson Cooper are all now advocates of skin cancer protection.
There are several different types of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell skin cancer, and squamous cell skin cancer.
Nonmelanoma skin cancer is a prevalent cancer in the United States, with more than 5 million people diagnosed each year. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are nonmelanoma skin cancers, are the most common types of skin cancer. Nonmelanoma skin cancers rarely spread to other parts of the body.
Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer. It is more likely to invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body than the more common forms of skin cancer.
Read moreLiving Strong In A Hostile World – The Realities of Skin Cancer
After 20 years of fighting stupidity in a hostile environment I sometimes just get angry and need to speak out. May is Melanoma Month and with all the facts we now have there are still opinions that amaze me. Simply, the sun might kill you. For sure it will make you look older than you are.
Read moreAbout Us, The Stories Behind The Keys Story
What happens when a brainiac boyfriend discovers his smokin hot girlfriend has Melanoma. He fixes the problems! …and this is how Keys products were born
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