Finally got the call with my biopsy results today. As some of you suggested, it was indeed basal cell carcinoma. This has been an amazingly frightening and revealing week for me. It has certainly increased my awareness of melanoma and related skin cancers. I'm a scientist by training and work with the federal government, though my specialty is infectious diseases. Sadly, my knowledge of melanoma was very limited. I, too, thought it was a disease of the very old or only those with extensive sun exposure. When I talked to a friend earlier in
Finally got the call with my biopsy results today. As some of you suggested, it was indeed basal cell carcinoma. This has been an amazingly frightening and revealing week for me. It has certainly increased my awareness of melanoma and related skin cancers. I'm a scientist by training and work with the federal government, though my specialty is infectious diseases. Sadly, my knowledge of melanoma was very limited. I, too, thought it was a disease of the very old or only those with extensive sun exposure. When I talked to a friend earlier in the week about my biopsy anxiety, even she commented that, "well, even if it is melanoma, they are so good these days, they just cut it out and that's it." I'm thankful this time that it was only BCC, but it has definitely increased my awareness and I intend to spread the word. Due to the large number of atypical moles that I have, I made an appointment to see a dermatologist for a full body scan next week, and I will spread the word to my family and friends. Further, since I also have some adjunct faculty appointments, I will use my classroom as a chance to educate my students on melanoma and melanoma research.
Thank you all so much for your warm acceptance and words of wisdom and encouragement, and I'm so glad I found this forum. I plan to learn all I can about current melanoma research and how I can help.
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