Skin Cancer: Have You Been Checked?

It was on my back where I couldn’t see it.

My wife had mentioned it a few times, but I thought nothing of it.

I’m very sun smart, and HATE getting sunburnt.

My back has not seen the sun in many years, so when she mentioned a suspicious looking mole, I told her not to worry.

I have lots of moles (most from birth) that have been checked at various times over the years, and with my back getting little or no exposure to the sun, I figured it was nothing.

After she mentioned it again a few months later, I manoeuvred myself so I could see it.

It had definitely changed.

But it was on my back. No sun. No problem!

Another few months went by and I went to the Doctor about a sore foot that was irritating me and refusing to get better.

As I got up to leave, I suddenly remembered the spot on my back and asked her to take a look.

Turned out it was a melanoma.

It also turned out to be not a particularly serious one, and after a second round of surgery I have coming up, they expect they will have removed it all and I should have no further issues.

I figured it was worth telling the story in case you or someone you know has been putting off a skin check like I did.

Turns out you don’t necessarily need sun exposure to have a spot turn nasty.

I’ve since read about a truck driver who had one on his foot.

His story was like mine – he assumed because it was never in the sun, it was not likely to be an issue.

So the moral of the story is if it has changed appearance - sun or no sun - get it checked!