Survivors Speak: Yvonna on SCC & BCC RecurrenceSkin cancer is not one and done - treatments and checks go on indefinitely, as Yvonna's journey demonstrates. This endless cycle of diagnosis, treatment, and anxiety can take a real...reactionscomments
Do As I Say (And Not As I Want To Do)I have a confession. I’m not always a model patient. Sometimes I want to hide places from my dermatologist. Not exactly hide them, I guess, but not point them out...reactions4comments
Working on a Kibbutz, Wrecking My SkinWhen a friend shared a photo taken of himself in Israel a long time ago, I found a photo of me when I lived on a kibbutz in Israel. I...reactionscomments
Melanoma Recurrence and Your DietI have become very particular about what I eat. I made a commitment to maintaining a healthy diet over two years ago and lost 70 pounds and have been able...reactions1comment
Skin Cancer Anxieties: Relationships & FamilyIn this series, we discuss causes of anxiety for those facing physical illness and its side effects. Phrases in bold are the words of our community members across various conditions...reactionscomments
My Anxiety DreamsIt’s not my fault that I go to so many doctors’ appointments. I go from one to the other as a result of having chronic conditions after my stem cell...reactionscomments
New Diagnosis, New Treatment, Same Old AnxietyI recently had my 6-month checkup with my dermatologist. While I’m happy that it seems that I’m getting new, suspicious areas at a much slower pace than I used to...reactionscomments
Is Everything On My Skin Cancerous?For years, no decades now, I have been checking my moles like a momma bird checks her nest. I understand what to look for: asymmetry, irregular borders, growth, changes, etc...reactions3comments
Talking to Family and Friends About Skin CancerSkin cancer can be tricky to bring up. When we talk about skin cancer, too often it feels like loved ones react with callous responses. Many people mistakenly believe that...reactionscomments
Sneak Attack!!! Melanomas Don’t Take Time OffSeptember 23, it’s a huge day for me. It’s my son’s birthday, my first born. Also, it’s the beginning of fall. Baseball playoffs, football, hockey and hoops, back to school...reactionscomments
Skin Cancer Stinks, Ya Know?I just broke my winning streak. It was nice while it lasted, but my visit to the dermatologist this week brought an abrupt end to all that bliss. I can’t...reactionscomments
Slip Slop Slap: Spreading The Word About Sun ProtectionEver since my brush with malignant melanoma, I’ve become rather evangelical about sun care. The easiest way I’ve found to spread the word to my friends and family without being...reactionscomments
Living With: When Your Job Becomes PersonalIn this recent episode of the podcast Living With, I interviewed LB Herbert. In addition to being the executive director of research and analytics for Health Union, LB has personal...reactionscomments
Wear Your Scars With PrideI remember my mother having skin cancer surgery on her nose which left her with a huge scar and a disfigured shape. The doctor swore to her that her nose...reactions9comments
I Saw a Physician Assistant for a Skin Cancer Full Body Exam Scan, and I Will Do It AgainI choose my doctors carefully. I usually ask my gynecologist for a referral when I need a specialist. She, along with my cardiologist and internist, are all affiliated with the same large...reactions17comments
See Something, Say SomethingI barely remember her. I think she had long, straight, light brown hair. Nothing more really stands out. I remember that she was a nurse. About her, I knew essentially...reactionscomments
Walking Each Other HomeLately, I’ve been seeing a particular phrase frequently, and each time it stands out to me. The phrase intrigued me the first time I saw it, but I didn’t give...reactions2comments
Ten Life Saving New Year's ResolutionsIt’s just about that time of the year. Time for well-intentioned resolutions that take flight in January, but too often crash and burn by March. Think about all of the...reactionscomments
Knowing Better But Still Picking At My SkinDon’t try this at home. Look at a tiny black spot on your skin and say, “Hmmm, this could be melanoma. But if I pick at it and it comes...reactionscomments
Smartphones and the Sun?I have to admit that I was not the first person in my community to get a smartphone, nor the first person on my block, nor the first person in...reactionscomments