Cancer Patient Story: How I Discovered I had Melanoma | (1 of 5) | The Patient Story

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Rich B. has been an avid runner his whole life. When suspicious dark spots appeared on his body, he decided to get them checked out. In this conversation, Rich shares what it was about the dark spots that led him to seek medical attention, how the doctor was able to give him the melanoma diagnosis, and shares more about tests and procedures like the shave biopsy.
Rich also addresses the importance of expectation-setting for patients, and how the doctor broke the news of the melanoma. Thank you, Rich, for sharing your story.
In this Series: Our 5-part series with Rich covers his entire Melanoma cancer experience:
1) My Melanoma First Symptoms & Tests → This Video
2) The Surgery & Melanoma Staging → • Melanoma Stages: Befor...
3) Treatment Decisions & Importance of Self-Advocacy → • Cancer Patient Story: ...
4) Deciding Whether to Join a Clinical Trial → • Clinical Trials in Can...
5) Melanoma Treatment: Immunotherapy → • Melanoma Patient Story...
Full story & transcript → www.thepatientstory.com/cance...
The interview has only been edited for clarity.
Join Our Community:
Website : www.thepatientstory.com/
Facebook: @ThePatientStory
Instagram: @ThePatientStory
Twitter: @patient_story
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Contents of the Video:
00:00 - Rich Bessel Intro
00:42 -Tell us about yourself
02:04 - What were the first signs of melanoma?
03:43 - How did you decide which dermatologist to do to?
04:15 - How fast was the growth of the suspicious mole?
04:44 - Did cancer ever cross your mind?
05:27 - Describe the shave biopsy and fist steps to diagnosis
06:43 - How long did it take to get the shave biopsy results
07:19 - Questions you wish you had asked
13:16 - Best way for a doctor to break the news of cancer to a patient
14:32 - Describe the 2 biopsies required to give the full diagnosis with staging
16:53 - Did you consider a second opinion?
17:55 - Waiting for details about your cancer stage
19:17 - Different stages of melanoma
20:52 - Take the numbers online with a grain of salt
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#thepatientstory #melanoma #skincancer #patientstories #cancerstories #cancerpatient #cancersurvivor

Опубликовано:

30 июн 2024

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Комментарии : 140

@amac111 Год назад

I had melanoma on my upper back arm that appeared out of nowhere. Mine was weird , mine looked like you took a pencil eraser out and laid it on my arm. I didn't even go to a dermatologist , for that but for Acne. But they got mine before it spread. Praise God

@audreylgreen5502 Год назад

My husband had a melanoma on his back and I really believe what saved his life was the surgeon removing the lymph nodes from his arm pit even though there was no observable cancer in them. 22 years later melanoma free

@lolaottinger3038 Год назад

I had it on my back too, first the surgeon removed the melanoma, then two months later decided to remove quite a few lymph nodes with no visible cancer in them, I was 33, now 79, although I haven’t had melanoma again, I have still battled skin cancer in the 46 years since. I have had surgery on every part of my body except my head and feet. Right now I have a place on my forehead that needs to be biopsied it looks different from any other skin cancer I’ve had, but I have no doubt that it is malignant. I’ve had three spots that looked like eczema but were actually skin cancer. They grew to about the size of a silver dollar, because of their size I used chemo cream on them and they went away. Also, the majority of the damage to my skin happened when I was a child under ten when I played in the creek next to my grandparents home, I had burns so bad they blustered, there was no sun screen way back then, and also nothing to really relieve the pain from the burns, I cried myself to sleep then went back out the next day to play and burn worse. My son and daughter in law have both had skin cancer, my daughter in law’s surgery was done in Spokane less than a year ago, her surgeon was the best! She had trained in cosmetic surgery and managed to put most sutures in the folds along her nose, and in less than a year the scars are not visible. I have two on my cheek and a huge place on my nose, doctor made no attempt to hide or minimize any possible scarring. My Dad died from skin cancer, but not melanoma. Last Wednesday we found out that my son has tested positive or either lymphoma or leukemia, next Monday he sees the oncologist to learn of his fight plan. I’m just now hearing these two talking about being told of biopsy results over the phone, I was told over the phone on a Friday afternoon. I insisted that they needed to tell me the results, that I shouldn’t have to worry over the weekend, so the doctor got on the phone and told me, then I went in to see him on Monday, ( this was around 12-15) and was given the name of a surgeon and had surgery on 12-27. One of the worst symptoms for me was the non stop itching. That ended after the surgery, and…every single skin cancer I’ve had since then has itched like crazy, one of the reasons I know that they are cancerous. Apologies for the extremely long response!

@pandapower5902 Год назад

is it normal for them to remove lymph nodes even if there is no sign of cancer in them?

@CGH250 Год назад

My grown son had the exact situation! So thankful he’s ok.

@davinastanton3865 Год назад

@@pandapower5902 Unfortunately no. My Melanoma started with a raised mole in the middle of my back. My Surgeon removed it and it was a stage 2. I get tested every every 3 months and my Cancer Nurse found a lump under my left arm. My Surgeon removed 13 and 9 tested positive for Melanoma. Unfortunately I have a lump on my stomach, I am just waiting for an appointment. I am 67 and suncream wasn't around back them. Take care of yourself. Love from Scotland. 💗

@RealShinpin Год назад

Hopefully we will get a true cure in the next coming decade. AI and technology is accelerating so rapidly, that i think we will have many cures soon.

@IVORY123100 Год назад

I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma in early 2020 . A year before I went to Dr . Wondering why under my thumbnail was getting dark . Figured that I might have hit it with a hammer .Told it was a fungal infection . So I was put at ease . Sometimes it looked better , nail crumbled away ,kept it clean and bandaged . Until one day , Readying for work , A coat hanger ripped through where the nail once was . It bled. I ran to the sink crying " Lord . what are You telling me ? " Seen A hand surgeon and his eyes popped out . " That looks like melanoma " biopsy . Malignant !! Amputate , Sentinels biopsy . Hot . Body and brain scan . 3 cancerous brain tumors . Chest port ,Truebeam . Opdivo , Not expected to make it through that summer . 150 hospital visits . 25 scans . Now I am NED . No Evidence of Disease . But just continue infusions .

@gj9736 Год назад

I am so sorry about your diagnosis, I got lucky with my 2 melanomas in 2017 with both of them being melanoma Insitu (melanoma 0). I don't mess around, if I see ANYTHING that doesn't look right on my skin, under a nail or anywhere else on my body I go to the dermatologist, not my GP. Dermatologists are trained to spot stuff that a GP might think is nothing. I hope and pray that you will have a full recovery and wish you all the best of health! 🙏😊

@margerytorrey8958 Год назад

So….i had a flat lesion, that bothered me ,scrape biopsied twice ,dermatologist,and a NP the second time, ,a year or two apart, negative. It still did not feel right to me. In December I had a plastic surgeon remove it! Two and a half weeks later the pathology came back… invasive , malignant melanoma ! Doc recommends getting a punch biopsy as the scrape biopsy may not reveal what is lurking . I am recovering from the second surgery where they excised the recommended margins. When in doubt , cut out!

@rightthinking2087 Год назад

Wow! Sounds like you had Acral Lentiginous Melanoma. My daughter had the same but, it showed up on her foot. She was stage 3D after resection of her heel and lymph node removal. Never made it to Stage 4. Did Keytruda then Yervoy/Opdivo cocktail. We also did a lis tof other things to help her heal. That was last year. She’s now at NED. What a ride and so happy you’re healed as well. 🙏❤️

@dizziechef9502 Год назад

This makes me concerned my thumb nail has a dark streak through it. My nail deteriorated. Then grew back. My other thumb nail now has the dark streak. I’m extremely fatigued and my muscle mass in my body is leaving. And leaving me with crinkled skin all over my arms. I’m worried.

@CandycaneBeyond Год назад

@@rightthinking2087what's NED?

@TerriblePopTart Год назад

I am sure that I'm not the only one who would really appreciate an update on how Rich is doing. Thank you for sharing this story with us.

@michman2 Год назад

I found a primary and during surgery a sentinel lymph node was also found, nodular melanoma, in 2016. Three years of Ipilimumab (tx every 3 months) seems to have cleaned it up. As of late 2022 I'm still cancer free.

@flxmkr Год назад

My gramma in-law had a mole on her temple. She showed the doctor, who told her to keep an eye on it. He checked it for growth and it never widened, so he kept telling her she was fine. But they didn’t know that while it was looking dormant on the outside, it was growing inward. By the time her son discovered there wasn’t any hard bony material around the mole, and that it felt like spongy material, it was too late. It ate through her skull and brain before it took her life. The doctor never palpitated the mole. He just looked. He just waited. Not all doctors graduate at the top of their class, and this doctor seemed to ride the short bus to medical school. 👏ALWAYS👏GET👏A👏SECOND👏OPINION‼️

@Pointerfinger_1 Год назад

I’m sorry for your loss

@jmr9735 Год назад

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. That's awful. I'm curious - was this doctor a dermatologist or a primary care doctor? I don't think I'd ever settle for a primary care doctor's opinion over a dermatologist's in a situation related to the skin. I say this, and I absolutely love my PC doc, but this is what a dermatologist looks at every single day. I had melanoma in 2014. My primary care doctor suggested a biopsy, but I thought she was overreacting. She offered to send me to a dermatologist, so I went that route. The thought of cancer never even crossed my mind, even though I have all the typical markers or traits. Immediately upon seeing it, the dermatologist started talking to me about melanoma and what to look for and stuff. He never once downplayed it or made me feel like the biopsy was just a precaution. The way he said it told me everything without actually saying it. He, of course, did a biopsy, and then gave me the diagnosis a few days later.

@justmemother2 10 месяцев назад

Doctors aren't what they used to be. So sorry to hear about it. Horrible. 🙏

@audreylgreen5502 9 месяцев назад

Yes .I am a retired nurse and have worked with some of the best, conscientious doctors and some lazy brained ones. You MUST be your own advocate . Insist on care or get another doctor asap.

@audreylgreen5502 8 месяцев назад

heard too many doctors say "we will just watch it " NO" biopsy.

@FrugalFamilyFliesAgain 2 месяца назад

Thank you so much for this incredibly helpful video! ❤ Best wishes for your recovery!

@gj9736 Год назад

I am m a 75 year old female that had lifelong unprotected sun exposure, so in 2017 I was diagnosed with 2 melanomas within one month time. I had used sun screens for maybe the last 10 years but the damage was done because I love the outdoors and have spend plenty of time out in it. I got very lucky that both my melanomas were caught early enough when they still sat on top of my skin and had not penetrated the underlying dermis. Both those melanomas were what is called Melanoma Insitu or Melanoma 0 and both of them, one on my neck and one on my forearm were surgically removed, leaving a very long scar on each site. I now have to go every 4 to 6 months to get my skin checked and was told that I most likely will get more melanomas since I already had 2 of them. I have found a very small black spot on my lower leg that I am getting checked, I am trying to be pro-active and getting things checked out before they have a chance to cause a huge problem, that is how I had both my 2 melanomas got diagnosed, going to the derm doctor early on and not waiting for things to progress. Melanoma is no joke, it is the deadliest skin cancer that can and will take your life if not found early on. Cover up people and stay out of the sun because the sun is NOT your friend! Those of you that love tanning yourself to look "healthy" listen up, a tan is your skins reaction trying to protect itself from the suns ultraviolet rays, tanning is anything but healthy, it is the opposite and I can vouch for that!!! Update: 11/1/22 had my spot on my leg biopsied and was told that it was a Dysplastic Nevus which was NOT cancerous but is related to melanoma because if you have one of those, you are at an increased risk for melanoma. I have to get rechecked in 6 months to make sure nothing will develop in the same spot. I am thankful it wasn't melanoma but I have to keep an eye on my leg and now another identical spot popped up on me on my right arm, right above where one of my melanomas was removed on 2017.🤷🤔

@audreylgreen5502 Год назад

Melanoma also has a genetic factor as some melanomas are in between toes or private parts usually no sun gets to. If family member had one be EXTRA cautious

@gj9736 Год назад

@@audreylgreen5502 nobody in my family ever had melanoma. My doctor at MD Anderson Cancer Center told me that you don't always get melanoma on the outside of your skin, you can get it anywhere on your body, inside or out, as well in in your eye, mouth, nose, private part and under nails, no genetics needed, just a lot of sun exposure.. However, some people are genetically predisposed to melanoma as our son will be now with a 50% chance of getting melanoma because of me having had it.

@davinastanton3865 Год назад

@@gj9736 What you have said is so very true. Cover up because the sun is not your friend. With love. X 🕊💗🕊

@be4202 Год назад

I have read that a tan is actually skin damage.

@gj9736 Год назад

@@be4202 yes you are correct, a tan is skin damage.

@vincebotkin1960 Год назад

I had a black mole on my right chest. Looked like a piece of tar dabbed on me. Wife made an appointment and the doctor was kinda wishy washy about it and I said just remove it. Came back melanoma and biopsy said it was 5 and .47 millimeter deep. Had out patient surgery. So far all is good. That was back in 88

@skiyogagirl Год назад

I am looking forward to the other segments of this series. My husband was diagnosed with melanoma and it was caught very, very early! He had surgery and has a rather large scar but is otherwise doing very well(childhood history of extensive mowing, painting, sailing and he found it on the front of his thigh and pointed it out to his derm who agreed it needed tested). I just want to remind people to have their skin checks performed by their dermatologist. I had two suspicious spots removed and when I asked my derm why and he emphatically said melanoma…both were negative & I have graduated to yearly checks! Go make your derm appt, starting at age 20 & go every year! 💛

@gimmeagig 9 месяцев назад

I'm 67 and in really good shape. I just had a Physical and everything was perfect. My primary Doc sent me to a dermatologist just to be thorough. This afternoon I received my call from that dermatologist, telling me that a spot on my back he biopsied was melanoma. It was in a location where I could not see it. I wish I would have asked him to take a picture before he took a sample off it. But I didn't expect anything bad. Now I'm waiting for a call from the clinic he is referring me to. I'm hoping they will call soon and get me in quickly. In the meantime I'm trying to educate myself about this cancer. Of course I'm wondering if this is my Death Sentence but I'm trying not to freak out.I don't even know what stage it is until they check me out.

@robynblake4841 9 месяцев назад

Hope all is well

@matios6013 3 месяца назад

Best for you🙏🌻🌼

@lesleymaclennan7899 3 месяца назад

Thinking of you ❤❤

@lauramau2530 Год назад

I had a melanoma about 10 years ago. It was a pinkish grayish oval spot that appeared on my left upper arm. Luckily it was stage zero and I’ve been melanoma free ever since. I get my skin checked every year of course.

@ThePatientStory Год назад

Laura, SO glad it was caught early! Thank you for sharing your experience ❤️ . -Stephanie

@lauramau2530 Год назад

@Potatoe Man if you are concerned go to your doctor.

@lauramau2530 Год назад

@Potatoe Man yes, definitely tell your mom. I went to my primary care doctor first and he gave me a referral to a dermatologist. It’s very likely that it’s nothing since you’ve had it for so long, but if it’s really a concern then there are steps that you can take, like seeing a doctor, that shouldn’t be a big deal. 😊

@lmb4876 Год назад

@Potatoe Man Please go to a dermatologist asap..my co-worker's mother had a line down the middle of her big toe..it was melanoma,. No need to wait to see a MD

@davinastanton3865 Год назад

@@ThePatientStory Please get yourself to a Doctor. We are all afraid to die that's nothing unusual. But putting something off that could be cured is not so could at all either. That's exactly what Bob Marley did and sadly he is no longer with us. Good luck, with love. X 🕊💗

@sw6118 10 месяцев назад

That moment of bad news is like a cold wind blowing through your head and you can’t quite understand anything that’s being said.

@AlexanderAMY Год назад

Hi I am age 41 and was diagnosed with melanona in situ in June 2019 you are amazing strong person. I am in the uk . I spotted a new mole on my arm as soon as I felt it i could feel a lump on and around the new mole it's look so small and shiny. I am covered in moles. And went straight to my GP who then referred me to dermatology who confirmed I had melanoma I needed to have a WLE twice because first time not all the cancer was remoeved

@tessapiotrowskikristensen8058 Год назад

I found your interview to be excellent in providing important information. Have you come across many patients with fibroxanthoma (skin)?

@amandathomas281 8 месяцев назад

I had Atypical Fibroxanthoma on my nose in August 2020. It presented as a small red pimple towards the tip of my nose. My GP thought it might be a cyst but decided on a punch biopsy to make sure. A week later he rang with the AFX diagnosis. Initially I was booked in to have MOHS surgery but the Plastic Surgeon decided after consultation with other Skin cancer specialists to do a full removal and skin graft from my collar bone area and a cartilage biopsy which was thankfully negative. Recovery was excellent and the cosmetic result was pretty good considering. In November 2022 is had a smallish bump in the corner of my eye that had been there for a number of years with no change but I noticed it had started to look different and was growing, albeit slowly. I went back to my Skin Cancer specialist who did another biopsy. It came back as BCC and I had MOHS surgery to remove it completely that same month. In March 2023 I noticed a freckle/mole that had not been there at the beginning of the year on my left upper forearm. It was rapidly growing and getting darker. Off I went back to my Skin Cancer specialist ( we're on first name basis now lol) Another biopsy. 3 days later she rings with the news that it's Melanoma stage 1b/2 and the margins were not clear so this past Wednesday (4/10/23) have had more surgery and now waiting for the results. I am fair skinned and was a sun worshipper as a teenager. That's all coming back to bite me in the ass now. I am booked in next month to have a full body skin check and have no doubt that there will be more to deal with but you just have to roll with the punches and get on with it.

@t.k3025 Год назад

Thank you.

@carterhall2653 10 месяцев назад

My melanoma diagnosis story runs pretty close to your reality with exception to the fact, The patient portal led me to believe my results were the exact opposite, so when I answered the phone, I was expecting the doctor to say , it's all clear, so when she started telling me I have two different types of Cancer I almost choked , I was driving and had to pull over.

@pattiaccursi3840 Год назад

Wow, just found this. Exactly what I'm going through, wide excision on upper arm in January. One lymph node was positive so got Pt scan and brain MRI, both are unremarkable thankfully. Still need to see oncologist in a few days and probably immunotherapy. Your emotions certainly match my own! Best of luck to you!!

@audreylgreen5502 8 месяцев назад

stay on top of it. It can be vicious but YOU can be ferocious .

@WeezerPort Год назад

I know two people who have passed in the last year from ocular melanoma! We have just gone for 28 days in a row of over 100 degree weather! Welcome to Texas!

@fiftiesandfabulous Год назад

Thanks for sharing that depressing info 🙄

@davinastanton3865 Год назад

Louise I am so sorry for the loss of your friends. 💗🕊💗

@fiftiesandfabulous Год назад

@@davinastanton3865 Yes apologies. I’m sorry for her loss too

@kaypendergast5676 Год назад

My Aunt too. It is extremely rare

@lolaottinger3038 Год назад

I’m in N. Texas, it seems like the 100+ temps are past us now. Thank goodness.

@TraceyMariexx 2 года назад

I have a friend awaiting results for melanoma. Really hoping he gets good news. Glad you're doing OK so far. And thankyou for sharing your story.

@cancerJEDI 2 года назад

#cancerJEDIs..... I am a #kidkneecansir warrior. Soldier on my friend. Thank you helping my prof through bladder cancer now. 😇

@Ishikaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 8 месяцев назад

What are the results??

@gailcrowe727 Год назад

My husband had a melanoma on his back, they said it could have come from the fact that he was posted to Malaya with the RAF in the fifties and worked on the aircraft without shirts on. He had it removed and all the skin around it. Later he had a lymph node removed from under his arm. It was 10 years later when they found the cancer had spread to his lungs, liver and bones, he had some chemo but it didn’t work and he died 4 months later, but at least he had 10 years after diagnosis.

@lesleymaclennan7899 3 месяца назад

❤❤

@RandomUselessKnowledge 2 года назад

Thanks for sharing, 3A here. Similar story, of course I was told it should be a simple cut it out and do the SLNB and the whole thing about only 1 out of 10 come back positive based upon my factors and boom I was the 1 out of 10 lol. Next step was a crazy mess of scans and appointments and a lot of the unknown. BRAF testing came back inconclusive due to the sample in my SLN being too small and so straight to immunotherapy. Just started my first dose of Opdivo a week and a half ago and am hoping that my body tolerates it well and that it does what it’s supposed to do. Similar background as well as far as exercise. I lift 4-5 days a week and do cardio 2-3 days, eat decently well and stay pretty leaned out and boom melanoma lol. Once again, thanks for sharing.

@TraceyMariexx 2 года назад

Wishing you all the very best 💜

@ThePatientStory 2 года назад

Hi there, thank you for sharing your story. We'd be happy to share your story in the near future, as well. If you want to share, please fill out our intro survey: thepatientstory.typeform.com/to/OJfTUC In the meantime, we are releasing Rich's complete story this week. His 2nd and 3rd videos are also out: #2 Surgery, Biopsy, Recovery - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LdXVbSsoNIc.html #3 Treatment Decisions + Self Advocacy - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2cKQLiQ7Vyk.html Hope they're helpful! -Stephanie

@BigstickNick Год назад

my sister passed away from Melanoma(Well LMD) which eventually spread everywhere. its all about taking precautions, and early detections.

@missmodern 10 месяцев назад

I'm so sorry for your loss. 😢

@tarasmith3833 11 месяцев назад

Mine was actually missed by my derm initially and had the nerve to say thank goodness the person found it did when they did 🙄

@nancycurtis488 Год назад

I had a non-spreading, non-invasive malignant melanoma on my left forearm that was VERY tiny, almost perfectly round that was removed in late December of 2013…luckily I found it right after it appeared. My dermatologist said if you are going to get a melanoma, I got the kind you want to have. He also told me that I was at a high probability to have another one at some point in time…. he also said that melanomas are NOT sun related as a baby can be born with a malignant melanoma…you can develop one on the sole of your foot, between your toes, in your “lady parts”, on an area of your body where the sun has never touched…that my highest risk factors are: I am a natural red head, have fair, freckled skin, green eyes/ blue eyes are also a risk factor, and the fact that I have had one now puts me at a higher risk factor…the fact that I have had one ALSO puts each of my adult children and each of my living grandchildren and my two week old great-grandchild at a higher risk…even since 2014, I have had a full body skin cancer check…as embarrassing as that is…so far so good…my next appointment is in November. If you see even a dot on your body that is black…get to your doctor ASAP.

@felikesmeerssen3263 2 года назад

I don't find a mail adress for the Patient Story and that's why I put it here. It would be useful to put a number in the set of interviews so that one can indentify which is the first one, the second, a.s.o. with that interviewed person.

@anglophils645 Год назад

I am 65, and I’ve had three stage 0 melanomas, on my back, chest, and upper arm.

@patsywaderker5200 Год назад

I know these people! Great folks.

@kimdickeyoccupationalthera7578 10 дней назад

How’s he doing?

@colleenwilliams1452 Год назад

I’ve had melanoma on my left arm. I showed a Dr who said it wasn’t anything. I left it and went to another dr a year later about something else. I pointed it out to him as it was going black. They did a biopsy and it was positive for melanoma. 2 weeks later they cut it out to the bone. That is gone, but another is coming up on my back, so I need to have the biopsy done.

@Ishikaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 8 месяцев назад

What are the results? I'm so Afraid of mine.

@anglophils645 Год назад

(Added to my comment below). My advice is do not let a dermatologist cut on you, beyond a simple shave biopsy. If your biopsy comes back positive, go straight to a plastic surgeon for your surgery for removal to get clear margins. This man had an extra, unnecessary surgery, before he got to the plastic surgeon. Your second surgery should include two sets of stitches, one set under the skin in deeper layers, and one set on top. There is a screen popping up in this video from NCI saying that you won’t need stitches from your second surgery. Oh, yes, you will, that is nonsense! You will have an awful divet in your skin, if you don’t have a double layer of stitches pulling your skin back together after surgery. Again, do not let anyone who is not a plastic surgeon cut on you!

@nancycurtis488 Год назад

Sorry…forgot to add that this very, very tiny dot was black…where all of my freckles are brown none has ever been black. They started off doing a “punch” biopsy…then removed more tissue…then even more shaped like a diamond and that area was sutured which made a 4” long scar on my arm that is not too bad. I was bruised from the top of my arm all of the way down into the palm of my hand but it eventually cleared up. I don’t know how often a melanoma is non-invasive and non-spreading but I feel extremely fortunate. My ex-husband recently died from, I was told, liver and brain cancer that started out several years ago as a malignant melanoma…..so be vigilant…be constantly aware of all areas of how your skin looks and exactly how it changes…..this saved my life because I noticed that little tiny black spot on my arm and just happened to be in my doctor’s office on something else….thank you, Dr. Holm. RIP JMC…I am so sorry your life was cut short.

@kazbaz8645 Год назад

I had follicular thyroid cancer treatment. I knew it was cancer when the doctor was on the phone saying oh so its a cellanoma .... and the nurse saying can it spread and he says potentially .... and im like hey i am here .....

@bko2613 11 месяцев назад

I wish i could see what the spots actually looked like.

@CandycaneBeyond Год назад

I have been googling since i left the Drs office. It stinks that i have no idea what is going to happen. Im a wreck. I still have to wait a week or so for results. Meanwhile there's an ugly hole on my thigh. No stitches, just took it off

@lorindachavez75 8 месяцев назад

Hang in there ..I'm so sorry ..it's scary .

@msemoji1026 Год назад

Has anyone on this comment section been diagnosed with lentigo maligna melanoma? If so how bad is it. My derm found it and now I’m to go back to have it removed.

@debbiedelaney 11 месяцев назад

You are probably done with your tmt at this point. I just had mine removed in March 2023. It was on my lower eyelid so had the lid removed as well as part of the cheek. Mine is in situ. I have a revision reconstruction scheduled in August. I have been wearing a silicon gel tape. My lower lid is gone and I had a skin graft to close the excision. I wear sunglassed when I go shopping etc. Family says it doesn't look that bad. Right!? Sunscreen and avoiding the sun is my life as well as avoiding too many people. I am embarrassed unfortunately. Good luck to you

@felikesmeerssen3263 2 года назад

I lost a brother to melanoma. The general practitioner prescribed an ointment and told him to wait for a month or three to see if it would disappear... .

@sarahparry8460 Год назад

I am so sorry for your loss.

@lisawhite3648 Год назад

Really?I'm very sorru for your loss.My mom committed suicide when i was 22 an 9 months pregnant.My dad died a year later pregnant with my second.If this was about mental illness i would never share this to them.What is your problem?Are you trying to scare this man?Don't talk about death of disease that someone has.Use common sense.Philly Lisa,Tims my husband."COMPASSION" JESUS

@felikesmeerssen3263 Год назад

@@lisawhite3648 I am telling an important truth. I am also telling that you have to be an advocate for yourself and not stay at a general practioner with such things!

@jovitavillalpando2827 Год назад

@@lisawhite3648 I don’t see where it is wrong! We are all going to die we are not children your commentary is out of place

@jensberlin3438 Год назад

I really prefer the German system where you can book a dermatologist's appointment without seeing a GP first

@thrivermedias1880 Год назад

I wonder if when this patient mentions friends who had melanoma and had gone in had spot removed and small scar if he is actually talking about a squamous cell cancer vs melanoma as I’ve had both and first was quick easy whereas melanoma my understanding always has big scar cause wide margins necessary. It was decades ago so hope I have name correct and had a tiny scar from what was removed from my nose but the melanoma spot was on my leg and small and had large scar and a couple lymph nodes removed. I’ve had melanoma and dr almost didn’t biopsy my dark spot said he didn’t think it was necessary. I almost skipped it then said “ let’s just do it since I’m here” and it turned out to be melanoma…dr sounded upset when he called a week or so after biopsy. given second experience with cancer and first was so bad I went though many dr.a before finding a surgeon and I picked him because he listened and when he didn’t have an answer to a question he said he’d need to check and he went and got a book…that he treated me well and admitted what he didn’t know was why I chose him. Found out later he was the surgeon other surgeons went to.

@thrivermedias1880 Год назад

Couldn’t edit comment and also had sentinel node biopsy and am sure about the melanoma just don’t recall if squamous cell is the right term for the tiny thing removed from my nose..tiny scar, not memorable decades later and no doubt that in my leg it was melanoma. Stage I. Very slow changing mole on back of thigh, a place I don’t look at often. Just had seen a tv program (this was pre internet) about melanoma so decided to get the spot checked but it had been there 6-12 months with a slightly irregular border but not remarkable otherwise. Based on my first experience with cancer I asked one surgeon about the scar I could expect from melanoma surgery and he quipped back, “whatever it is it is better than cancer “ so I didn’t go back to him, two drs later I found a surgeon. I didn’t go back to Dr who diagnosed me cause he almost didn’t biopsy mole and also had wrong leg in notes.

@gj9736 Год назад

I had 2 melanomas removed and there is absolutely no way that you will leave with a very small or tiny scar after the removal, there will ALWAYS be a very large scar if you truly had a melanoma!3

@MsPea Год назад

I don't understand why people with cancer describe themselves as being on a "journey." That makes it sound like it's a little trip you planned. What about the people who die? What happens with their journey? It's detoured? It's ended suddenly? There are so many platitudes that people use to describe cancer, but this is one of the most prevalent. It's like describing a cancer patient as "brave." What a crock. People with cancer are scared, angry, frustrated, traumatized. No one in their right mind wants to take the "journey" that you're on with cancer.

@michman2 Год назад

Until you've been there, you won't understand. I've had 2 serious cancers and my journey continues. ...btw, I was NEVER scared.

@Rene-uz3eb Год назад

Interesting stat: cancer mortality rate is a lot higher for men than for women: 0.19% vs 0.135%. That 40% higher. Could it be because of menstruation? Another stat: having breast cancer raises your risk of getting melanoma, by about the same as first having melanoma then breast cancer. So why do we talk about 'metastasis' from melanoma, but not from breast cancer to melanoma? I think because that would break the narrative uv > skin damage > skin cancer (harmless in itself but wanna avoid metastasis) > serious other organ cancer The Melanoma and Breast Cancer Association: An Overview of their 'Second Primary Cancers' and the Epidemiological, Genetic and Biological correlations, 2020 Surgical excision of melanoma including lymph nodes removal has been performed since 1891. Finally, severe melanoma is related to red meat ingestion and lack of fruit, just like all the other cancers: Red meat and fruit intake is prognostic among patients with localized cutaneous melanomas more than 1 mm thick, 2014 "Eating red meat at least weekly was associated with poorer survival. • Eating fruit at least daily was associated with better survival."

@myopinion4600 Год назад

Honestly think men are less likely to have a history of using sun screen regularly.

@Rene-uz3eb Год назад

@@myopinion4600 the stats were for cancer overall I believe, not melanoma, not sure why I didn’t list a source. The paper below indicates that men have higher mortality than women, more like 25% than the above 40% but still. So that seems to hold up and I would still blame it on lack of menstruation. Cancer Mortality in the United States by Education Level and Race, 2007 Actually I did find something, so maybe the 40% was melanoma specific: Gender Differences in Melanoma Survival: Female Patients Have a Decreased Risk of Metastasis, 2011 (about 40%) I would agree with you that it might be a combination of iron and men being sloppy, that gives the even bigger advantage to women, but I’m not sold on sun causing cancer quite frankly. I recall researching this and there was not one convincing animal model that resulted in cancer. We know that sun uv draws iron into the skin, and that melanoma type lesions contain a lot of iron. If I have to guess again I would say the reason mortality is so much higher for melanoma in men, it’s because women have thinner skin, ie melanoma manifests earlier, at lower iron excess levels, which also would be indicating less severe cases thus higher survival. Some support is provided by this paper stating that melanoma incidence relates are actually higher in women than men (under 40): Rising Melanoma Incidence Rates of the Trunk among Younger Women in the United States, 2010

@myopinion4600 Год назад

@@Rene-uz3eb That’s a lot deeper than my thoughts were. Thanks for the in depth response though.

@kathykinder3137 Год назад

Last year I had a melanoma on the bottom of my foot n lymph node they removed it but does anyone know after they remove it I took 2 different pills for a month I’m still scared does the cancer come back after removing it

@robertlagan8441 Год назад

Make an appointment to see your medical team again to get all the information you require including regular check ups

@catherinepalun972 Год назад

Absolutely agree with Robert……go back to your doctor and request ALL the results of your surgery. Ask questions, and ask if the doctor received the pathology results, that the margins of clear tissue was achieved. Yes cancer can metastasise in other areas, so a close check should be kept on you. When you had the biopsy did they tell you the grade of your melanoma? I have had several melanomas and BCC’s. Sadly my sister died from Melanoma. Listen to this video. Excellent information! 🙏🇦🇺Blessings to you, and take care. May you never have another skin cancer again! 🇦🇺🙏

@davinastanton3865 Год назад

@@catherinepalun972 I am so, so sorry for the loss of your precious sister sweetheart. Melanoma is an awful Disease. Mines was found in 2019 at a stage 2 but it mastisised in my left arm Lymph Nodes. It was then stage 3d. I attended Beatsoncology in Glasgow. I live in Scotland. The surgeon removed 13 and 9 were positive. 😔 I then got put on two different tablets twice a day. They made me so unwell. I couldn't stop being sick. Projectile Vomit. My lsst scan showed that the Cancer was in remission. We were all so happy, but then Depression crept in. I was so upset making sure my husband, daughter's, and Grandaughters were fine. I didn't think exactly what I had. I have been for my 3 monthly check up and go for my CT scan on the 14th of September. I am 66 and was never a sun worshipper. It all started with a mole on my back. Take care. X 💗🕊💗

@davinastanton3865 Год назад

Kathy do what Robert and Catherine has said. It's so important to know what is going on in your body darling . I have to get examined and Scanned every 3 months. X 💗🕊💗

@catherinepalun972 Год назад

@@davinastanton3865 You have certainly been through the mill….I pray 🙏 you are free of this insidious disease for good. My mother ‘God bless her soul’ has a melanoma on her nose …..it was a mere dot that would bleed when she washed her face with a flannel, luckily her GP picked it up referred her to an excellent plastic surgeon and was operated on within the week. Cut from forehead to chin. It healed so well that it was almost unnoticeable. I have had many BCCs and three Melanomas on my face. I had one on my nose ….very small but needed a full depth skin graft. Excellent results. It was picked up by me and although my dermatologist said it wasn’t one to worry about I insisted it be biopsied, I was right and my dermatologist full of apologies. My daughter also has had several melanomas and one horrid cancer on her lip that was a rare one which had tentacles that spread. After two surgeries it was finally removed successfully. We are told it’s is hereditary. It was devastating to loose my sister….and hell to see her go through painful treatment….it started in her eye and metastasised throughout her body. She had MRIs frequently but it managed to creep in between scans. Darling lasted 2 years although she was given 4to 6 months. We all live on tenterhooks and have frequent checks. All my beloved children and grandchildren are vigilant. Keep safe and healthy Davina. Blessings 🙏🇦🇺

@jeffdoty5755 11 месяцев назад

And I lost my left eye of cancer

@jacksmom3612 Год назад

He doesn't say what his physical symptoms were if any.

@jmr9735 Год назад

I'm not the person in this video, but I've had melanoma. For ME, my first "symptom" was extreme itchiness...so intense, I wanted to vomit. I tried everything I could think of to settle the itch, but nothing worked. I finally scratched so much, I developed a raw spot on my leg. That raw spot ended up being the exact border of the melanoma. It just came out of the blue one day, and I don't really remember the itching so much after that. That spot, though, never really healed. It kept developing a very thin layer over it...not a true scab, kind of like a thin layer of skin. Every time I'd go over the spot (think shaving or something like that), it would immediately scratch the layer off. From the initial day of that itchiness to the time I was diagnosed, it was approx a year and a half. During that time, it never occurred to me that it could've been cancer, so I never prioritized going to my doctor. It was until I had a physical scheduled that I finally asked. I think my primary care suspected it because she suggested a biopsy. I thought she was nuts because it was just a little sore that "needed a cream to heal." She offered to set me up with a dermatologist, so I went for that. I figured he would've confirmed my suspicions she was just overreacting, but nope. I'll note that, even though I waited so long, I didn't have a very aggressive form. They can either stage or use Clark's levels. Mine was a Clark's level III. I think my actual staging was close to 1. I say this because I didn't experience really any other symptoms of note. But that itchiness...oh my gosh. Even just remembering it makes my stomach unsettled. It was really bad.

@jacksmom3612 Год назад

@@jmr9735 WOW, thank you so much for sharing your story. I discovered a brown spot along my side burn. I checked it frequently for any changes when sure enough it got a bit darker over time and the shape wasn't symmetrical and I could feel the spot had a slightly raised surface. I was certain it was melanoma. Turned out to be a Seborrheic Keratoses. Dr. says it's nothing to worry about and it will never turn into Melanoma. It's yet another sign of "old age" LOL

@jmr9735 Год назад

@@jacksmom3612 I'm so glad yours turned out to be just an age mark or whatever. I was just telling my dad the other day that he needs to set up for a skin check with our dermatologist. He's going to be 73, outside a lot, and he's got a lot of various spots popping up. I still go for 6 month checkups. Technically, I could've changed over to yearly checkups a couple years ago, but I'm a very fair-skinned redhead, so I won't be taking any chances. I'll also add one other note that my leg, before that intense itching started, looked completely normal. I didn't have any marks or pink spots or anything until I scratched my skin raw. So like this man said, it wasn't there, then it was there. It showed up very quickly. I suppose it could've been doing its thing under my skin a while, but outwardly, there was nothing remarkable.

@jeffdoty5755 11 месяцев назад

I had melanoma and I lost my left eye of cancer

@karendavidson6272 10 месяцев назад

so sorry.

@margarita8442 Год назад

sounds like its game over

@myrescuecats3028 Год назад

🤨

@skiyogagirl Год назад

Actually you are wrong…there are new cancer treatments coming out all the time…of course none of us know when or how we are going to pass but it is important to always be kind. I have had family/friends with horrible diagnoses that have gone on to live very successfully! I think he is very brave to talk about his melanoma diagnosis.

@lauranipper5084 Год назад

Really?!!

@davinastanton3865 Год назад

margarita for goodness sake be kind. The meds for Melanoma have changed so much. More people survive now. I am stage 3d and just told i am in remission. I started in stage 2 but it matasised into my lymph nodes.

@w.i.n.n.i.s.o.x Год назад

Margarita , I hope the treatment on your one remaining brain cell goes well

@Salty826 Месяц назад

I went to the dermatologist for a strange little freckle in spring of 22. The day he did the biopsy, the lymph nodes on my left collarbone blew up. My primary saw me immediately. He told me this is serious. When lymph nodes on collarbone enlarge, it's usually indicative of major organ cancer. Had a biopsy and the reults got posted before I was given the courtesy by the general surgeon to tell me. I sat staring at the dx. My best friend died 10 yrs ago of metastatic melanoma. I felt my world collapse. Now what?? He did call, albeit a very awkward for him conversation. I went back to my primary who immediately referred me to a leading specialist. Then things went fast. I got lucky. My PET scan only "lit up" on my collarbone. I had surgery in Sept of 22 Again very lucky, only 3 of 26 nodes were affected. Immunotherapy isn't an option for me because I have lupus. The risks outweigh the small chance it'd work to stop the cancer from hitting somewhere else. . I got scans every 4 mo. Made it to my 1 year scans and nodes in my left armpit were enlarged. It had spread. Again, all the nodes and tissue was removed Oct of 23. Again lucky, only a handful of the whole clump were involved. Again, no Immunotherapy option. Too dangerous because of my autoimmune disorder. I'm in limbo. Frustrated but yet relieved..there is no treatment options but feeling like I have a big target on any and all areas of my body. I've changed my diet, eating more whole foods, limit best I can processed food and sugar. I take turkey tail mushrooms, oregano oil supplements, walk and am continuing to work despite overwhelming fatigue sometimes. Seriously considering the fenbendazole protocol however will not do it without a Dr supervision. That's my next step. I can't sit around doing nothing and wait for "the big one" diagnosis.