A Day with my Dermatologist...

[killbilly]

Good catch. Dad went through a pretty brutal couple years of interferon after they had to remove a few mm of the skin off the bottom of his foot.

So first thing you do is come up with a story.

I'm pretty religious about getting every mole and freckle looked at now.

 

[knot4u]

Why should he come up with a story? The truth is likely to have a more positive impact on someone who might end up in a similar situation. I also don't understand the correlation of scars and being tough/cool/manly. If you're that badass you wouldn't have gotten cut in the first place.

 

[dbrault17]

How do doctors check for skin cancers during a routine check up? Do they just give you a look over or what?

 

[killbilly]

Why should he come up with a story? The truth is likely to have a more positive impact on someone who might end up in a similar situation. I also don't understand the correlation of scars and being tough/cool/manly. If you're that badass you wouldn't have gotten cut in the first place.

It was supposed to be funny. Guess it wasn't.

 

[gliderboy]

One of the reasons I continue to wear my old-style headphones instead of the ear-bud type is because they protect your left ear and a large part of your face from the UV-bath we are subjected to. I wear a baseball-type hat while flying for the same reason. Sunscreen too.

A number of my retired pilot friends have had to have large chunks of skin hacked off because they never took such precautions.

 

[mshunter]

Why should he come up with a story? The truth is likely to have a more positive impact on someone who might end up in a similar situation. I also don't understand the correlation of scars and being tough/cool/manly. If you're that badass you wouldn't have gotten cut in the first place.

Don't take life to seriously. You'll take all the fun out of it.

 

[knot4u]

Don't take life to seriously. You'll take all the fun out of it.

Agreed. Cancer is a problem in my family so it hits close to home. I didn't mean to sound negative. Hope you enjoy your holidays.

 

[lostplanetairman]

I took my wife to the dermatologist because she had something on her arm. The doctor said it was fine, but took one look at my arm and immediately sliced off a sample. It was a basal carcinoma and then they carved out a nice chunk of my arm.

 

[Maximilian_Jenius]

Glad they caught it!

See @ATN_Pilot, would a hooker point that out to you?

If they did, they charge you extra for that!

 

[Screaming_Emu]

If they did, they charge you extra for that!

But would it be covered by insurance?

 

[mshunter]

Agreed. Cancer is a problem in my family so it hits close to home. I didn't mean to sound negative. Hope you enjoy your holidays.

Cancer took both my Grandfathers, and my dad has fought, and won, three times. One time was a type of lymphoma that has a 75% mortality rate. He is going to have a similar surgery next year on the side of his face to remove some cancer (that'll be number 4). So it hits close to home for me too. But I just deal with it using comedy. A defense mechanism I guess. Plus, my mom spent a little over 20 years managing and being the lead nurse of an Oncologist. Seems kinda weird that I'm a smoker, don't it?

 

[knot4u]

Cancer took both my Grandfathers, and my dad has fought, and won, three times. One time was a type of lymphoma that has a 75% mortality rate. He is going to have a similar surgery next year on the side of his face to remove some cancer (that'll be number 4). So it hits close to home for me too. But I just deal with it using comedy. A defense mechanism I guess. Plus, my mom spent a little over 20 years managing and being the lead nurse of an Oncologist. Seems kinda weird that I'm a smoker, don't it?

Your story is eerily familiar. My youngest step brother had his leg amputated below the knee due to cancer. I also smoke, but it's ok because I'm kind of a black sheep.

 

[Screaming_Emu]

Cancer took both my Grandfathers, and my dad has fought, and won, three times. One time was a type of lymphoma that has a 75% mortality rate. He is going to have a similar surgery next year on the side of his face to remove some cancer (that'll be number 4). So it hits close to home for me too. But I just deal with it using comedy. A defense mechanism I guess. Plus, my mom spent a little over 20 years managing and being the lead nurse of an Oncologist. Seems kinda straight up retarded that I'm a smoker, don't it?

FIFY. Seriously, stop.

 

[mshunter]

FIFY. Seriously, stop.

Telling someone will net -0- results. I know why people do. But I honestly enjoy having one with a cup of coffee in the morning, after a meal, etc.

 

[Houston]

How do doctors check for skin cancers during a routine check up? Do they just give you a look over or what?

A once a year all over check with a dermatologist is the best approach. Mine just happens to be a cute young blond. I get naked and she comes in and checks my whole body. I'm not sure if what we're doing is legal in every state, but Blue Cross has been paying for it.

 

[FloridaLarry]

dbrault17 said:

How do doctors check for skin cancers during a routine check up? Do they just give you a look over or what?

First they look, with a better idea of what they're seeing than you or I. Check WebMD.com for what to look for. If something looks seriously suspicious, they take a sample (usually with a blade under local anaesthetic that scoops off the suspicious stuff) and send it to the lab for a biopsy. If it looks like a wart (warts are caused by viruses) they may just freeze it off. You can get kits from Walgreens / CVS to do this, but they aren't as powerful / don't get as deep. Might take a couple of rounds, or to the dermatologist for (a.) a better look-see and/or (b.) more powerful freezing.

Skin cancers are very treatable early-on, not so if they've really got a grip on you. Don't mess around! Pilots are especially at risk because they have less atmosphere to screen you.

Disclaimer: Not an MD or dermatologist, just another victim.

 

[Bozzles]

Looks sore but glad you got it sorted mate!

I don't want to hijack this thread but since we're on the subject I've had a new "mole" that has developed on my back over the last 6-7 years. It is quite small/flat but it has been concerning me recently because it is slightly painful when touched or pain "radiates" around it. It's like I can feel that it's there especially if I start thinking about. I am probably being paranoid but recently my mom had cancer (she's fine now!) and also this new mole/spot only started growing after the ONE time I got sun burn on my back (the kind were your skin starts to peel off). It's the only time I've ever had sun burn and I don't generally expose myself to harsh sunlight so hopefully I am just being paranoid but what do you guys think... I've got a pretty crappy picture here... may try to get a better one.

 

[derg]

A Day with my Dermatologist, Dr. Chastain in Marietta, GA: it was 3 layers and the size of a nickel.

I'm glad my Bride noticed the spot and scheduled a look; it was basal. I use Sunscreen and hats, but I can't outrun my genes.

View attachment 29785

Hot dang man, good on catching that!

Another thing I've heard about is having your barber look at your scalp as well.

 

[TC_ABM]

Looks sore but glad you got it sorted mate!

I don't want to hijack this thread but since we're on the subject I've had a new "mole" that has developed on my back over the last 6-7 years.

Get it looked at. I had something similar removed 5 years ago. It was melanoma.

Here's the pic of the graft that left a golf ball size divot on my right ankle and semi annual derm visits for the rest of my life. I was 36 then.

 

[Bozzles]

TC_ABM, frick... Are you all good though now? I don't know much about melanoma but I've heard it's one of the worst forms of cancer or is that only if it's left untreated?

I'm definitely going to get it checked out ASAP... NHS here I come *sigh.