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 From the Cardiologist's Wife - Contest Winner - 'Tanners Beware'
Here is the contest winner and her story. After reading about the contest, her
mother encouraged her to enter, so for taking a few minutes to email her history
and a few photos, Amy won a $25 gift certificate to the restaurant of her choice.
Like many women, Amy loved the look of a nice dark tan. Starting in high school,
Amy followed the same tanning regimen many young women do. She laid out at the pool
or the beach frequently, hardly ever using sunscreen. At least once a week in the
spring and summer, she tanned in a tanning bed.
Amy never worried about skin cancer right up until her doctor found a suspicious
spot on her shoulder. A biopsy revealed that the spot was basal cell carcinoma
which the doctor removed. A couple of years later, her doctor found another
suspicious spot on her forehead which Amy had thought was a freckle. This time, it
was removed by a dermatological plastic surgeon using the MOHS procedure. MOHS is a
microscopically controlled surgery used to treat skin cancer with a high rate of
success in removing all the cancer while leaving healthy tissue. Amy was sent home
overnight with an open wound while the tissue was tested to see if the whole cancer
had been removed. When she went back the next day, the surgeon assured her that all
the cancer was removed and he closed the wound.
After that scare, Amy has yearly checkups with her dermatologist, wears high SPF
sunscreen EVERY day and a hat if she is going to be outside. She no longer goes to
a tanning bed but gets spray tans instead. Amy would like to point out that she has
dark brown eyes and hair and a dark, olive complexion. She is not the fair skinned,
blue eyed, blond or redhead stereotype we often think will get skin cancer. Point:
anyone can develop skin cancer.
Amy is fortunate that her skin cancer was curable. Most people don’t know that skin
cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. Basal cell and squamous cell
carcinomas are more common but are rarely fatal. Melanoma is less common but can be
fatal if not caught early enough. Check yourself over frequently for any changes in
your skin. Look for spots that are asymmetrical, have irregular borders, have
changed in color or size. If you have any questions, see a doctor for a diagnosis.
Skin cancers can occur on any part of the body but appear more often in areas that
receive the most exposure to the sun.
Wear sunscreen everyday like Amy to protect your skin. Most of the wrinkles and sun
spots we associate with aging are due to sun exposure. Wear a hat, sunglasses and
long sleeves to further protect your skin. Avoid being in the sun between the hours
of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the rays are the most harmful. If you must have a tan,
try a spray tan but don’t use tanning beds.
I’d like to thank Amy for being brave enough to share her story in hopes that it
will spare someone the same worry and trouble she experienced. - Lisa
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