Skin Cancer Much?

[the duke]

Since here in Australia our statistics for skin cancer and incidence is so huge compared to the rest of the world - probably because we spend so much time at the beach and the hole in our part of the ozone layer is bigger than most) I finally decided to get my skin checked.

The mole I thought might've changed and might've needed to be removed was fine...but there were two on my face that i had to have removed....

So what now? I have two cuts on my face (which will scar) and have to wait for my biopsy results...fun fun fun....:(

[sway2sway]

sorry to hear about that, girl. But at least you were being proactive and got them checked out. Those lil' scars will fade, but you'll still be here.
I'm not sun smart at all. I slather the sunscreen on the kids and then roast myself, I should be smarter about it.
What kind of follow up do you have?

[tinkerlion]

hopefully it will turn out alright. how long do you have to wait to get the results?

[Rensul]

good for you going and getting it done! I noticed a few new moles myself the other day. I should go too.

[lietuvaite]

don't worry about the scars, as the important thing is your health

i used to tan/burn myself silly when i was younger, but now have sworn off the sun for the past five years. i've been trying to reverse the sun damage w/ peels and laser, and it's not so easy. the most important reason i've sworn it off though is for health reasons - don't want the cancer.

[34redsox34]

I agree with sway at least you go it taken care of and you will still be here with us thats what counts the most:) keep your head up high everything will be just fine...I will send some postive vibes your way

[the duke]

Thanx guys! :)

I have to wait until Tuesday for the results. It's more of a precaution because my face is always in the sun. The reason I got checked is because I've been solarium-ing the last few weeks to be brown for my presentation night (my skin reacts badly to fake tans).

I actually had a look at the holes in my face last night as I changed the dressings...it freaked me out quite a bit, but like you and my mum have said, it's better to get it done now and be sticking around longer and it's also better to have little scars than to have half my face cut off because of a melanoma....

BUT i stress, go get it all checked out, even if you don't think you have many....it's the tiny ones that turn out to be the deadliest!

[tinkerlion]

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/65/72793.htm

What Are the Symptoms of Skin Cancer?

The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change on the skin, typically a new mole or skin lesion or a change in an existing mole.

* Basal cell carcinoma may appear as a small, smooth, pearly or waxy bump on the face ears and neck; or as a flat, pink/red- or brown- colored lesion on the trunk or arms and legs.
* Squamous cell carcinoma can appear as a firm, red nodule, or as a rough, scaly flat lesion that may itch, bleed and become crusty. Both basal cell and squamous cell cancers mainly occur on areas of the skin frequently exposed to the sun, but can occur anywhere.
* Melanoma usually appears as a pigmented patch or bump. It may resemble a normal mole, but usually has a more irregular appearance.

When looking for melanoma, think of the ABCD rule that tells you the signs to watch for:

* Asymmetry - the shape of one half doesn't match the other
* Border - edges are ragged or blurred
* Color - uneven shades of brown, black, tan, red, white or blue
* Diameter - A significant change in size (greater than 6mm)

[kelli420]

im sorry for ya and hope it all works out for you.

my dad just got told he has skin cancer on his face from beinin the sun so much in his life. they told him its nonspreadable

[kelli420]

oopps posted that to soon

i just wantedto tell u that so u have hope if the news comes back bad--- good luck good luck--my thoughts r with u

[the duke]

thanx mate...the scars are healing quite well...i covered them pretty good for presentation night last night, no one could really tell unless they came up in my face which was good...

check this site out...http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/(Pages)/Skin_cancer_risk_factors_and_early_signs?OpenDocum ent