Who Can Afford To Die From The Sun?

In my local news toady there was a report on the number of men who die in my country from cancers that lead on from a Melanoma, skin cancer.

For me, the irony of that report hits home as I spent today at home recovering from the removal of a larg melanoma on my leg. I find out in the next 24 hours if all is clear or if it has spread. I'm hopeful.

I'm hopeful because I believe, as does my doctor, that I caught it early enough. It has laid dormant for the past 12 to 15 years, a large brown mark on the side of my leg. I've had it checked every year, just to be certain. My last check up was in October.

On Sunday night I noticed it had changed. It had gone from a smooth mark to a slightly lumpy one (sorry the graphics, but someone out there may notice this on them). Saw the doctor Monday afternoon and on Wednesday afternoon I was under the knife. My doctor was fantastic! I must admit it is interesting seeing a slice of your leg being detached!

The key of this is this, I was aware of my potential for melanoma and was having my mark checked regularly. The cause I know to be all those times I was sunburnt as a child. I have been a ticking time bomb, so to speak.

It pays to check your skin regularly, especially if you work outdoors or were burnt regularly over time. A 20 minute sunbake can lead to the start of a melanoma that years later will cause or the damage. And it's not just the sun. Tanning beds are also dangerous.

Have a firend check your back and the places you can't see (can make it fun with the right person). Watch out for any part of the skin where a mark changes shape or breaks into a sore.

And, REALLY IMPORTANTLY, don't put off seeing a doctor. The longer you delay the more chance of not surviving. I'd rather have been wrong on Monday then discover next week that it had spread to the rest of my body. It can be that quick.

Take care. Put on the sunscreen, wear the wrap around sunglasses (you'll look cool), cover up and do the check.

Keep safe and long life

Colin