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Here's to Your Health:  Skin cancer  |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 14 2007 : 4:19:55 PM
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I'm sure in years past posts have been added about various skin cancer warnings and such so here's my 2 cents.
I had a small spot on my nose that since June would fester, bleed and just not quite heal. At first I thought it was sensitivity to my goggle nose piece. But even way into August and more recently when it still would bleed, I thought this was rediculous! So last week I made an apointment.
The biopsy reveraled basal cell carcinoma. Fairly simple to treat and non-metasticising- but a form of cancer just the same. (Metasticise means cancer cells break off inside the body and have the potential to kill fast-very scary, -ask any breast cancer survivor!)
Today the entire spot was removed using MOHSE. Can't remember what this stands for, but they basically keep scraping and spare as much good skin as they can.
My nose feels funny now and my teeth felt a little strange from the numbing agent, but all is well and they got all the cancer. What a way to miss a day of work!
SO! All this to say ladies......wear your hats, slather on the sun screen and get yourselves checked over at least once a year. Now I'm a believer. Some skin cancers grow where there hasn't been any direct sun exposure too. These spots sometimes kill. A friend lost her mom due to a spot on the back of her leg that did have cells that migrated elsewhere.
In my younger years, I lived in the desert for just a mere 5 years and only wore a du-rag. I thought that a dark tan was enough to afford protection. And, as a kid the only time we were in the house was if it was raining. It all adds up
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Nov 14 2007 : 4:32:30 PM
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Anna, I'm with you on this. When I was little it was believed that you had to get a good burn to tan when you were fair skinned. I'm a spotty, freckly girl and worry about each one of the darned things
I hope that you heal up with out a recurrence and thank you for pointing out that we need to be careful
Wishing you joy in small things and peace in your heart
Annika
http://panzymoon.wordpress.com/ |
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mom2knk
True Blue Farmgirl
321 Posts
Blanche
So Cal
321 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2007 : 11:59:34 AM
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Just jumping in to echo what you have both said. I had a MOHSE procedure done this past Saturday on my left temple to remove a basal cell, my 3rd in the last 8 years. The procedure was by far the easiest for me, the hardest part was the wait to see if they got a clean edge all around the first time and thankfully they did! I have 2 stitches inside and 1 continuous stitch that is about 1/2 an inch long on the outside. My doctor said I will heal very nicely and I might not even have a scar! The stitches come out on Monday and I can't wait!!
Please Please be careful in the sun......suncreen and protective clothes do help!! |
Edited by - mom2knk on Nov 15 2007 12:00:33 PM |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2007 : 4:11:35 PM
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Thank you both.
I peeked under the bandage today and saw a bit of blood, so the packing did its job. I'll be able to take the bandage off tomorrow and wash my face as normal. Ahhh
All in all, the waiting is the worst part after they take the first scraping. Hubby was with me and made an apointment too. He always rants about slathering on the sun screen. He has the fair skin and reddish hair and freckles if you look closely.
One mistake I think we all make and need to be better about is applying the sun screens way before ever going out! It's habit now to apply it as a part of my a.m. facial routine, and again after lunch. I'm also fighting the wrinkle thing. Made me feel better when the doc said I didn't look 37! Hey! That's cool!
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Here's to Your Health: Skin cancer |
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Skin cancer
