Just for the heck of it, I put little red dots on this body map to represent where I’ve had some of my basal cell carcinomas and my melanoma removed.  Can anyone decipher the code?  I thought about drawing lines from each dot to the next to see if there were any subliminal messages like, “Go Hokies!” or “I Run,” but didn’t see any.  Looks more like a case of the measles to me!

DottedBodyMap

Connect the dots

In connecting the dots of how skin cancer happens, the sun damages the skin and causes the cells of the epidermis to mutate, divide, and multiply rapidly.  Those mutated cells can form several different types of tumors, or skin cancers.

SkinCancerPoster

Early detection is key to having a successful outcome with skin cancer.  Last week I talked about what to expect at a full body skin check.  In addition to seeing your doctor regularly, it’s a good idea to thoroughly check yourself monthly.  The Melanoma Research Foundation has the #GetNaked campaign which reminds us to do just that… get naked, grab a mirror, and carefully inspect every square inch of your skin.

Anyone can get skin cancer, but those prone to sunburns are most susceptible, and I am that poster child.  I have fair skin, have mostly blue eyes, and have always had light hair (red as a young child), so I absolutely need to check my skin regularly.  Please don’t assume that because you have darker skin, you don’t need to worry about skin cancer.  Like I said, anyone can get it.

 

  • Questions:
  • Are you prone to getting sunburns?
  • Do your hobbies and favorite activities keep you out in the sun?
  • What are your sun protection tips?

 

As promised in This May, Please Learn From My Mistakes, look for these other articles on Deb Runs during the month of May: