Originally published in The Garden Path, Summer 2023. If you would like to get The Garden Path, we invite you to JOIN US as a member.
Grow Plants, Not Skin Cancer by Marcia Lawyer (Region 7)
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC–most common and treatable skin cancer) Squamous and Melanoma are obviously ugly red/purple irregular patches, right?
I’ve had BCC twice beginning January 2022 from being burned at the beach, perfecting my tan or gardening? A pencil-tip red forehead dot slowly grew, seeped, bled, scabbed and repeated. I knew it was cancer. COVID had just begun, so in April I told my Primary Care Physician (PCP) during a Telemedicine Consult. In May my doctor examined my “DOT”, but didn’t call it cancer. He also said it could be frozen off, BUT HE DIDN’T. Trusting him, I wrongly ASSUMED it wasn’t serious. Due to COVID, few doctors were doing procedures. My October check-up with my PCP labeled it cancer and contacted a dermatologist.The biopsy was BCC and in December, under local anesthesia, Mohs Surgery created a dime-sized hole and 3 ½ inch scar on my forehead.By the way, cauterized skin does NOT smell like flowers!
Deja Vu, March 2022, small raised skin-toned bumps grew beside my nose. In May, my PCP said it wasn’t the same as 2020. Fast-forward to November 2022, my PCP again contacted a dermatologist–BCC AGAIN!
January 2023 another Mohs resulted in a large pea-sized hole and triangular scar into my cheek, along my nose and beneath my nostril. When biopsied twice, both surgeries were very deep.
Dermatologists say PCPs are NOT trained to recognize skin cancer. My face is bisected from my hairline to my nostril. My Mom’s PCP treated her squamous as psoriasis for a year and then she needed a skin graft! Believe me, a FEW months makes a difference from scraping/freezing to Mohs surgery. We all know someone who has or had skin cancer. Maybe ourselves.Be an Advocate.Get a Full-Body Skin Exam annually. YOU make your Dermatologist appointment ASAP. The QUICKEST I was scheduled was 7 months!
Where are our hats? Hopefully, we are wearing sunscreen year-round. Google skin cancer-the pictures aren’t pretty and skin is the largest organ of our body. Check Dermatologists’ Websites!
