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Thursday, June 12, 2008

An Important Reminder

Well since this is a blog, which is sort of an online journal, I guess this is a good place to post these kinds of things and I also think it serves as a good reminder for everyone!

A few weeks ago I noticed a weird bump on my back right under my bra line. It felt really dry and I thought it was a mole so I had my dermatologist check it while I was there for my Accutane checkup. She removed it and sent it to the lab for a biopsy. Well, I got a call from her office yesterday with the lab results. The "bump" was cancer. It's called Squamous Cell Carcinoma (sp?) and it is very treatable and not threatening. I will have to go in on the 24th to have a patch of skin removed around where the growth was to be sure that she got it all but other than that, everything should be totally fine.

It was such a wake up call. I always use sunscreen when I go out and usually sit in the shade while I'm outside anyway. But I wasn't that cautious as a teen. I used tanning beds, but really not that much, certainly not enough that I ever thought it could cause a problem. Anyway, I just want to tell all of you to be safe in the sun, always use sunscreen on yourself and your kids, and be sure to have any strange growths or changing moles checked by your dermatologist!!

5 comments:

TheWallinFamily said...

Wow, that's so scary. I'm glad you were so proactive about getting it checked and even more that everything will be okay! Thanks for sharing and for the reminder on the importance of sunscreen!

Laura said...

Jen - sorry for your cancer scare and thanks for the reminder to use sunscreen and to have my moles checked (as embarrassing as that can be!) Good luck and keep us posted!

mel said...

Oh my gosh! That is so scary! I am glad that you are okay. This is the second time this week that someone I know has skin cancer! I am bound to get it one of these days, even though I try to stay out of the sun! I hope that everything goes well for you and that there aren't any other complications.

Luisa said...

Hi Jen, I found out who you are now. Sorry to hear about the bump and great to know is treatable and not threaten. Also thanks for writing about and remind us about the importance of use sunscreen and check moles. I have a few moles and will go to check them as soon as I can. Regards, Luisa

Sandy said...

Sweetie, that is scary! I am happy you are having it taken care of! you will be in our prayers!
Talk to you soon!