My Experience With Skin Cancer

     See the Photo With the Skin Tissue Removal Wound? That's MY Arm. I am one of the many Americans who have run the risk of Skin Cancer. Please read to learn about this deadly cancer and to learn from a first-hand experience what it's like to face the possibility of chemotherapy . 

     Three years ago I was diagnosed with having Dysplastic nevi on my right forearm. It scared me when a doctor had to physically cut open my skin with a scalpel for skin tissue to remove both the precancerous skin change and surrounding tissue that may have also been affected. The sample tissue was sent to the lab and was deemed precancerous- SKIN CELL ACTIVITY CHANGES  HAD OCCURRED. I was very concerned with the possibility of having skin cancer at age 16. 

     During my early teens, I used to tan outside frequently and occasionally receive sunburns. I thought it was nothing, because typically everyone receives a tan in warm weather and/ or receives sunburn at least once in their lifetime. It caught up with me unexpectedly when a tiny, unnoticeable birthmark on my right forearm transformed into a dark spot during my sophomore year. I am so thankful that Melanoma, Basal, or  Squamous Skin Cancer had not taken place in my skin cells. 

 Please be safe and listen to me when I say that skin cancer is a serious issue. Tanning, frequent sunburns, even predisposed  genetics could affect your chances of receiving skin cancer. The possibility of skin cancer changed my life, and I luckily escaped its treacherous path. Not everyone may not be so fortunate with early detection, so please be safe than sorry. 

What are the risk factors for melanoma?

A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease such as cancer.

Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a major risk factor for most melanomas. Sunlight is the main source of UV radiation, which can damage the genes in your skin cells. Tanning lamps and beds are also sources of UV radiation. People with high levels of exposure to light from these sources are at greater risk for skin cancer, including melanoma.

Ultraviolet radiation is divided into 3 wavelength ranges:

• UVA rays cause cells to age and can cause some damage to cells' DNA. They are linked to long-term skin damage such as wrinkles, but are also thought to play a role in some skin cancers.
• UVB rays can cause direct damage to the DNA, and are the main rays that cause sunburns. They are also thought to cause most skin cancers.
• UVC rays don't get through our atmosphere and therefore are not present in sunlight. They are not normally a cause of skin cancer.

While UVA and UVB rays make up only a very small portion of the sun's wavelengths, they are the main cause of the damaging effects of the sun on the skin. UV radiation damages the DNA of skin cells.

Skin cancers begin when this damage affects the DNA of genes that control skin cell growth.

 Both UVA and UVB rays damage skin and cause skin cancer. UVB rays are a more potent cause of at least some skin cancers, but based on what is known today, there are no safe UV rays.

The amount of UV exposure depends on the strength of the rays, the length of time the skin is exposed, and whether the skin is protected with clothing or sunscreen.

A nevus (the medical name for a mole) is a benign (non-cancerous) melanocytic tumor. Moles are not usually present at birth but begin to appear in children and young adults. Most moles will never cause any problems, but a person who has many moles is more likely to develop melanoma.

Dysplastic nevi: Dysplastic nevi (nevi is the plural of nevus), also called atypical nevi, often look a little like normal moles but also look a little like melanoma. They are often larger than other moles and have an abnormal shape or color.  They can appear on skin that is exposed to the sun as well as skin that is usually covered, such as on the buttocks and scalp. 


-A small number of dysplastic nevi may develop into melanomas. But most dysplastic nevi never become cancerous, and many melanomas seem to arise without a pre-existing dysplastic nevus.

 Many doctors recommend that patients be taught to do monthly skin self-exams and be counseled about sun protection.

Again, the chance of any single mole turning into cancer is very low. However, anyone with lots of irregular or large moles has an increased risk for melanoma.

To avoid Skin Cancer, people are asked to do he following:

• Have regular skin exams by a dermatologist
• Thoroughly examine your skin once a month
• Be particularly careful about sun protection and avoid artificial UV rays (such as those from tanning booths)

Personal History of Melanoma

A person who has already had melanoma has an increased risk of getting melanoma again. About 5% to 10% of people with melanoma will develop a second one at some point.

Even if you believe you do not meet any of the following criteria for risk of skin cancer- please remember that all humans have the ability to acquire skin cancer since our skin has no real defense mechanism against the sun's rays! Please Use Sunscreen When Being Out in the Sun, Use Sunglasses to Shield Your Eyes and Protect Your Eyesight, limit your sun exposure during its peak hours (12-4pm) and check your skin for any changes!