A Reminder to Slip, Slop, Slap...

gutters · January 15, 2013, 08:27:19 AM

Hi Swaggers,

Yesterday I had a Stage 1 Melanoma removed from behind my right ear and I thought my experience should be a reminder for us all to be vigilant when out and about enjoying our beautiful country, especially with our kids. Most of the damage to our skin is done by the time we reach 18 and these things only start to rear their ugly heads as we get older. I grew up with the Slip, Slop, Slap messages and I always thought I had been pretty good about using the appropriate sun protection, but obviously not...

Luckily for me it was only a Stage 1 Melanoma and I'll be left with a bit of a scare, a scar and a lighter hip pocket (Surgeons and Anesthetists aren't cheap). So please make sure you wear a hat, appropriate clothing and sunscreen and have regular skin checks. I hadn't had a skin check for a number of years and this one was only found by an observant practice nurse whilst she was taking my temperature during a check-up. I think most GPs and Skin Clinics bulk bill so there really is no excuse.

Information on Skin Cancer and preventative measures can be found at http://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/types-of-cancer/skin-cancer.html

Here are before and after pics, the second picture is not too graphic but if your really squeamish maybe avoid going further. Mods please remove if these pictures aren't appropriate.

Squalo · January 15, 2013, 09:44:07 AM

Good to hear you got it early Cavan and thanks for the reminder.

evolution · January 15, 2013, 10:16:38 AM

Hope you heal up as good as new mate!
My father had a similar one removed at the front of his ear, just behind the right eye a couple of years ago.
It knocked him around a bit at the time, but he is back to his old stubborn self now

Cheers
Evo

cruisindub · January 15, 2013, 12:29:16 PM

Timely reminder.

I should get checked out. Fair, English skin, burn easily,only later in life learned slip/slip/slap. Just 5 more minutes or I'll get my hat in a minute doesn't cut it.

Slip, slop, slap.......!

gutters · January 16, 2013, 05:28:03 AM

Thanks for the well wishes guys, I really hope this thread will prompt some of you to at get regular skin checks and to make sure your kids are protected from the sun.

Skin Cancer doesn't discriminate and all skin types are at risk not just fair skinned guys like crusindub and I...

Barrabart · January 16, 2013, 06:40:02 AM

Yep good reminder....... hope ya heal up nice and quick.

Jeepers Creepers · January 16, 2013, 06:42:02 AM

Is that ear wax or brain matter dribbling out your ear?

I'm thinking ear wax....

gutters · January 16, 2013, 07:26:51 AM

Quote from: Jeepers Creepers on January 16, 2013, 06:42:02 AM
Is that ear wax or brain matter dribbling out your ear?

I'm thinking ear wax....

Definitely not brain matter as very little of that substance to start with....

Its the betadine antiseptic wash they coat you in, it seemed like they tried to fill my ear up with the stuff.

Bunyip · January 16, 2013, 07:53:55 AM

Hi Gutters,

Best of luck with your recovery, looks like a nice scar will form there, better get your stories ready

Thanks for the reminder. Can never happen too often, especially for those of us that are folically challenged.

Bunyip

gutters · January 16, 2013, 08:17:25 AM

Quote from: Bunyip on January 16, 2013, 07:53:55 AM
looks like a nice scar will form there, better get your stories ready

I was thinking that as I'm due to return to work tomorrow which involves an hour and a half commute on the train each way and no doubt I'll either get asked by someone or cop a heap of "wtf looks" from strangers...

I'd welcome any good story idea's, surely Jeepers could help here??

Chris-Vi · January 16, 2013, 08:30:56 AM

Glad they caught it. Had one off my back last year. I get skin checks every 6 months now when I go in for a new script. Doctor reckons you can play snakes and ladders on my back with the bits that have been removed.

MarkVS · January 16, 2013, 09:13:21 AM

Cavan,

Good to see you caught it.

As a 'red haired fair skin' person, I am a fairly regular on checks. I strongly suggest to everyone don't go to the skin clinics for checks. Make sure you go to a proper skin specialist and get it done properly. You pay more...but the consequences are.....well....

MarkVS

MDS69 · January 16, 2013, 11:58:25 AM

Quote from: gutters on January 16, 2013, 08:17:25 AM
I was thinking that as I'm due to return to work tomorrow which involves an hour and a half commute on the train each way and no doubt I'll either get asked by someone or cop a heap of "wtf looks" from strangers...

I'd welcome any good story idea's, surely Jeepers could help here??

Tell everyone you were glassed by a little old lady with a zimmer frame outside the bingo hall for winning the jackpot or your childs pet budgie got rabies and went nuts and attacked you.

sonny · January 16, 2013, 12:37:51 PM

Good to hear you got it early. I had a Stage 2 Melanoma on my leg about 6 years ago now - was on 3 monthly checks for 2 years, 6 monthly for the next 3 years and now annual checks for the rest of my life. It was a scary thing - the mole was only the size of a pin head (and by the way the GP told me to "ignore it - it is nothing" - good job I ignored her and got it taken off anyway or I wouldn't be here now - GP phoned me after the biopsy bawling her eyes out to tell me it was melanoma) and I am left with a scar that is about 4 inches long and initally 2 inches deep into the leg muscle (this has now filled out again). I have had plenty of other moles removed that looked a lot worse that have come back ok. My best advice is listen to your own instincts. If you are at all concerned about a mole get rid of it. A scar won't kill you but an undiagnosed melanoma can.

gutters · January 16, 2013, 01:13:57 PM

Quote from: MDS69 on January 16, 2013, 11:58:25 AM
Tell everyone you were glassed by a little old lady with a zimmer frame outside the bingo hall for winning the jackpot or your childs pet budgie got rabies and went nuts and attacked you.

I think I'll use both of those thanks

Quote from: sonny on January 16, 2013, 12:37:51 PM
Good to hear you got it early. I had a Stage 2 Melanoma on my leg about 6 years ago now - was on 3 monthly checks for 2 years, 6 monthly for the next 3 years and now annual checks for the rest of my life. It was a scary thing - the mole was only the size of a pin head (and by the way the GP told me to "ignore it - it is nothing" - good job I ignored her and got it taken off anyway or I wouldn't be here now - GP phoned me after the biopsy bawling her eyes out to tell me it was melanoma) and I am left with a scar that is about 4 inches long and initally 2 inches deep into the leg muscle (this has now filled out again). I have had plenty of other moles removed that looked a lot worse that have come back ok. My best advice is listen to your own instincts. If you are at all concerned about a mole get rid of it. A scar won't kill you but an undiagnosed melanoma can.

Wow Sonny I'm glad you trusted your instincts ... I'm on 3 monthly checks now for the next 24 months and then we will move to 6 monthly checks for sometime after that. I agree and recommend that you trust your instincts and if you are worried insist that the suspect looking mole is removed and tested. I'd much rather have lots of small scars from mole removal than have to have large sections of tissue removed because I was complacent.

baldheadedgit · January 16, 2013, 02:45:02 PM

Gutters.... i know where your coming from.. Just been thru the same ... mine was on my nose,,,as if it wasn't big enough already.

Lived and worked out in this sun of ours all my life,, Now,,, i wear the wide brim Hat.! no excuse... i wear it,,, It realy has opened my eyes to what can happen so quickly.
Regular check ups are also on the menu

BHG

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A Reminder to Slip, Slop, Slap...