Skin Cancer Found

I have to say with honesty that my battle with skin cancer actually began because of one of my new puppies that I adopted eight months ago.

A couple weeks ago my pup Mercedes would not leave my leg alone. Every time she came to me she would continually lick the back of my left leg. I found it strange however I really did not know why she was doing it.

After a couple weeks of this happening I decided to take a picture with my cell phone of the back of my leg. I was shocked to see that the picture was a strange looking mole that was somewhat painful. It was larger than an eraser on a pencil and the shape was jagged.

I searched online and discovered other moles that looked very similar and at that time was shocked with what I was seeing. Over and over I saw the words Melanoma Skin Cancer and immediately called my family doctor. Within a couple hours I was in my doctors office.

When she checked it she said she was definitely concerned but did not do a biopsy since she had other concerns. First I have over 100 moles on my body and she felt that an oncologist was best to decide what to do. Next was even more shocking.

She said that she had some major concerns with a mark I had on my forehead. Although it was something I did not think was a problem I was wrong. My forehead had a basel carcinoma spot that was now another concern.

Two forms of cancer and all along I thought I was fine.

The pictures that I have included are photos of both my skin cancer issues.

It is extremely important to know your body as I was not. Had it not been for an 8 month old puppy I still would have no idea I am facing a battle ahead.

There are 3 different types of cancer that can start in the different types of skin cells.

• Squamous cell skin cancer starts in the squamous cells.
• Basal cell skin cancer starts in the basal cells.
• Melanoma starts in the melanocytes.

Mine were diagnosed as Melanoma on my leg and Basal on my forehead.

• Squamous cells are thin flat cells on the surface of the skin.
• Basal cells are round cells that lie under the squamous cells. They are continually made deep in the epidermis. Newly made basal cells push the older cells toward the surface of the skin, where they become squamous cells.
• Melanocytes are also found deep in the epidermis, in between the basal cells. Melanocytes make melanin, which gives colour to your skin.

One suggestion that was made by the doctor was as follows:

Take a photo of all of your moles and put it away if you don't see anything concerning. Every month take out the photos and compare.

Skin cancer is preventable. Being a sun worshipper with a belief it could never happen to me is definitely the wrong attitude. It can happen and it could have been easily prevented.

Please take the necessary steps to make sure you and your family are safe from the sun.

Just what are you looking for? According to the American Melanoma Foundation, any mole or pigmented area that shows any of the four warning signs of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer:

• A is for asymmetry - half of the mole doesn't match the other half;
• B is for an irregular border - often notched uneven, or blurred;
• C is for varied color - shades of brown and black are present;
• D is for diameter - a mole that spans more than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser - is more likely to be a melanoma.