After getting a wisdom tooth ripped out and my sinuses fixed last year, I had hoped that I was done with doctor’s offices for a while. Unfortunately it doesn’t look like that’s going to be the case. Around the end of last year, I saw a dermatologist for a routine skin check. I have lots of moles which puts me in a higher risk category for skin cancer. Without going into unnecessary details, the lab results showed one area that was “severely abnormal.” Yikes. I never thought at the age of 32, I’d be on the phone saying, “Wait… so… do I have cancer?” Thankfully that answer was no, but it was still something that needed immediate action. This is basically the last thing they see before they see skin cancer so they need to cut out a bunch more skin around that area. That’s happening today. I’ll end up with stitches and have to take it easy for a couple weeks. I shouldn’t need to miss any work but it will keep me off the ski slopes for a week or two.
I was hesitant to share this info, but it’s worth it if even one of you gets your skin checked. The facts about skin cancer are staggering. One in five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer. Over the past 30 years, more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined. Get checked or at least ask your doctor about it on your next visit. Maybe you’ll find out that you’re in a very low risk category. Or maybe, like me, you’ll find out that you got checked just in time.
Another (Minor) Surgery
I was hesitant to share this info, but it’s worth it if even one of you gets your skin checked. The facts about skin cancer are staggering. One in five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer. Over the past 30 years, more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined. Get checked or at least ask your doctor about it on your next visit. Maybe you’ll find out that you’re in a very low risk category. Or maybe, like me, you’ll find out that you got checked just in time.