My Experience With Skin Cancer
I'm at an age where I have become more concerned about health issues. I believe that I have officially "crossed over" to middle-age. :) I recently went for a skin cancer screen at my dermatolgist's office; I was actually concerned about a growth on my arm and was sure it was something serious. What surprised me was that the nurse practitioner was more concerned about a small area on the side of my nose. I told her that I was sure it was just irritation from my glasses, but a biopsy showed that it was Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Squamous Cell is basically dull, red, rough scaly lesion on the skin, most commonly on sun-exposed areas such as the head, neck, ears, lips, etc. Waiting on the biopsy results took THREE weeks. I was expecting the biopsy to be benign or possibly Basal Cell. Fast forward to yesterday; I underwent Mohs Surgery to have the tumor removed. I highly recommend this method of treatment over other options for this type of skin cancer, because you don't have to wait weeks for biopsy results and it only took a few hours (in my case). The surgeon is also a pathologist with special training in this type of surgery. After removing the obvious tumor, you are sent to a waiting area while the doctor examines the tissue under a microscope. In my case, there were still cancer cells and I had to undergo a second procedure. You can read more about this type of surgery here:
I was bandaged up (no stitches: yay!) and sent home with instructions and prescriptions. I have to return for a few follow-ups and will probably have to have a skin graft. I'm very sore and there's the possibilty of bruising, but that's okay. The most painful part of the surgery was the injection in my nose...ouch! I'm happy that it's over with and actually am not even concerned about the impending scar. I will post more after my follow-up and skin graft consultation.
So.....go get a dematological check-up!! And don't forget the suncreen :)
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