Question:
Hi, My dad just died of melanoma. I want to warn everyone that if you have anything suspicious on your skin or any changes, see a doctor right away. And always insist on a biopsy. Do not let a doctor tell you it is okay, not to worry about it. My dad's dermatologist and general practitioner both said not to worry about a skin lesion. They both said it was only a cyst. By the time my dad finally insisted on a biopsy, it had already spread. Do not take any chances with this type of cancer because there is no cure for melanoma if it is not removed before it gets too deep. Also, stay out of the sun, and always use sunscreen, especially if you are fair skinned.
Answer:
Thanks..I have had several come up lately. The most recent being dry flaky and scaly..looks like a white mole never noticed it till last year..Told the doc he said Oh we all live long enough we get scaly things on us..HELLO not the answer I was looking for..have read about different skin cancers and it looks similar..going to have double check now that I read this..Thanks you may have saved a life!
[This message has been edited by Katiepops (edited 05-02-2003).]
Answer:
Hi Nebulous
I'm sad to read about the loss of your Dad. It's awful to think that action was taken too late & cost him his lfe. I feel extremely fortunate that I found my melanoma early & had it removed promptly. Just yesterday I went back to my doctor to show her another mole which is itchy & has bled. Again, there's no hesitation & it will be removed in a week.
or so. I completely agree with your advice to stay out of the sun. As they say in Australia - do the slip,slop,slap - slip on a t-shirt, slop on the sunscreen & slap on a hat.
Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your responses. Yes, my poor dad suffered a lot, and it should never have happened. He had basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma before, so he was going to see the dermatologist every 6 months, but they still didn't catch his melanoma, and when he pointed it out to them(at my mom's insistence)the dermotolgist said it was just a cyst and "tell your wife not to worry so much." Finally, it was biopsied and turned out to be stage 4-5 melanoma. They didn't even tell him it was stage 4-5 melanoma, and gave him no follow-up care. And we didn't even realize there were different stages. All they told us was that the lymph nodes that they removed were clean, so everything was okay.
Anyway, about a year later, little bumps started coming out all over his body. He pointed them out to both his primary care doctor and dermotologist, and again they said that it was just cysts. But the lumps kept growing and he had to insist on a biopsy. And it turned out to be melanoma metastized. He quit that health care organization (a large well known one,I will not name), and went to one of the leading melanoma specialist in the country. He went through agressive and horrible treatments to try to save himself, but all the treatment couldn't save him and he died 6 months later. The specialist told him to make sure his children get checked closely and regularly because a susceptibility to melanoma is hereditary.
I myself am fair skinned with freckles. Just tuesday I went to the doctor with a suspiscious looking freckle that appeared to be growing, and he removed it on the spot for biopsy. I will do everything I can not to share my dad's fate.
Good luck to all of you.