Sue Brown Elizondo, Editor - Wednesday, November 04, 2009
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After the death of our dear friend, Mark Cude, again we are reminded to pay attention to our bodies and our loved ones’ bodies.
After he was diagnosed just after the first of the year with Stage 4 Melanoma, it didn’t take long for me to ask my dermatologist. Of course it was easy for me to ask my doctor, I was seeing him for another reason.
Had there been no appointment made, or I didn’t have a doctor, who knows how long I would have put it off.
I’m pleading with you now. Please don’t delay.
According to the Melanoma Center website (www.melanomacenter.org), about 10 percent of all people with melanoma have a family history of melanoma.
There are also some misconceptions about the disease.
The first is that melanomas develop only in sun-exposed areas of the body. In fact, melanomas can occur in areas not normally exposed to the sun, including the abdomen, genitals, and soles of the feet. The second misconception is that dark-skinned people are not at risk for the disease.
If you have moles and you see a change remember this: ABCDEs of Melanoma: Asymmetry - odd shaped, Border-uneven borders, Color-Variety of colors,
Diameter-usually larger than 1/4 inch and
Evolving- any change size, shape, elevation etc.
The way I see it, scan yourself and loved ones. Don’t know? Get it checked! That’s the way I see it, let me know your view.