Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Skin Cancer Awareness
For the very first time, I am posting something completely unrelated to giclee. About one week ago, I went to a dermatologist to get a tiny red spot on my arm checked. The little red patch would not go away. After a biopsy it turned to be squamous cell carcinoma, the second most dangerous skin cancer after melanoma.
The dermatologist had to "dig" out an area the size of a quarter and put 8 stiches in. Fortunately the cancer was so small that it was "in situ", which means it did not spread.
Why am I writing about this? Simply, because if I had waited a little longer I could be facing chemotherapy, radiation and not such a good prognosis. Skin cancer affect hundreds of thousands americans each year. It is very easy to detect and treat if caught early. See a dermatologist for a yearly check and do not assume that because you are in your 30s or 40s you are too young. I am 44 and I know of at least two people younger than me who have basal cell carcinoma. One of them had 4 surgeries and they had to take skin out of her ear to reconstruct the area of the nose where the cancer was growing.
Giclee printing is a business that caters to the soul. People buy prints to hang and beautify their homes and offices. Prints are a discretionary type of purchase and are replaceable, health is not!
Being healthy is not just a matter of having good genes and the right lifestyle. It takes a vigilant eye and awareness.
The dermatologist had to "dig" out an area the size of a quarter and put 8 stiches in. Fortunately the cancer was so small that it was "in situ", which means it did not spread.
Why am I writing about this? Simply, because if I had waited a little longer I could be facing chemotherapy, radiation and not such a good prognosis. Skin cancer affect hundreds of thousands americans each year. It is very easy to detect and treat if caught early. See a dermatologist for a yearly check and do not assume that because you are in your 30s or 40s you are too young. I am 44 and I know of at least two people younger than me who have basal cell carcinoma. One of them had 4 surgeries and they had to take skin out of her ear to reconstruct the area of the nose where the cancer was growing.
Giclee printing is a business that caters to the soul. People buy prints to hang and beautify their homes and offices. Prints are a discretionary type of purchase and are replaceable, health is not!
Being healthy is not just a matter of having good genes and the right lifestyle. It takes a vigilant eye and awareness.
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Matching your comment:I gad a cist growing on my scalp. Doctor sent me to Hospital. Painless removal but analisy determined; Skin consultant had to "dig" the area of the root of the squamous cell and a skin graft followed.
All pratically painless but it too a long time to hea.
The only memorable pain was the stiches behind my Ear where they pulled off the skin or the graft.
I am 82, and I was blond, Had always had 'crusts" on my head and neos on my body. Doct. keep burning them with liquid air. Good night from Paolo
All pratically painless but it too a long time to hea.
The only memorable pain was the stiches behind my Ear where they pulled off the skin or the graft.
I am 82, and I was blond, Had always had 'crusts" on my head and neos on my body. Doct. keep burning them with liquid air. Good night from Paolo
Glad you could share your experience. I am blond too. Having a fair skin, blue, grey or green eye adds to the risk factor.
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