Skin Cancer? What to look for

In honor of being cancer free for three years yesterday I think it is important to provide you with some resources on what to look for as red flags for skin cancer. One of the most IMPORTANT things you can do to catch skin cancer early is to KNOW your own body. Yes, the doctor can detect wierd looking moles, but you are the best candidate to see if they changed. If I wouldn't have had the gut feeling that my mole was wierd and pointed it out to my doctor who knows where I would be today. The ABCDE's are things you should be looking for in your moles when you perform monthly self skin checks.

A= Asymmetry- If you were to cut the mole in half each side should look the same.

 

B= Border- The border should be smooth all around. No jagged or uneven edges.


C= Color- The mole is one uniform color.

 

D= Diameter- The mole should be no larger than a pencil top eraser.

E= Evolving- If the mole changes in any way-shape, color, funny border, elevation, itching, bleeding, or crusting.

 

Skin Check:
Here is a step by step guide on how to perform a personal skin check. If you do not feel comfortable doing this yourself ask your partner to help you.
What you'll need: a bright light, a full-length mirror, a hand mirror, 2 chairs or stools, a blow dryer, body maps and a pencil.

1	Examine your face, especially the nose, lips, mouth, and ears - front and back. Use one or both mirrors to get a clear view.
2	Thoroughly inspect your scalp, using a blow dryer and mirror to expose each section to view. Get a friend or family member to help, if you can.
3	Check your hands carefully: palms and backs, between the fingers and under the fingernails. Continue up the wrists to examine both front and back of your forearms.
4	Standing in front of the full-length mirror, begin at the elbows and scan all sides of your upper arms. Don't forget the underarms
5	Next focus on the neck, chest, and torso. Women should lift breasts to view the underside.
6	With your back to the full-length mirror, use the hand mirror to inspect the back of your neck, shoulders, upper back, and any part of the back of your upper arms you could not view in step 4.
7	Still using both mirrors, scan your lower back, buttocks, and backs of both legs.
8	Sit down; prop each leg in turn on the other stool or chair. Use the hand mirror to examine the genitals. Check front and sides of both legs, thigh to shin, ankles, tops of feet, between toes and under toenails. Examine soles of feet and heels.	*Guide and pictures are courtesy of The Skin Cancer Foundation

Happy 3 year Cancerversary to me!

I always wanted a tattoo and God just wnated to make sure there was a really good story to go along with it. I believe he sent me on this path with this tattoo to help educate others so they do not receive the same tattoo as me. This plaque was given to me by my sister this summer at a time when I really needed it. Love u B!

Happy 3 year Cancerversary to me! WOW! I can’t believe it has been three years since my diagnosis and surgery. When I was first diagnosed I had no idea what my life would be like, much less what my future would hold. I could barely see past the next day. Within these last three years my life has been a whirlwind, both good and bad. Before my diagnosis cancer had never hit close to home and once it did, it seemed like everyone I knew was being diagnosed. Almost to the day of my cancerversary last year my uncle was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and he was in the fight for his life. The first couple of months this year were some of the hardest for me because I watched my uncle fight his hardest, but ultimately lose his battle. During this time I came to gain an understanding of what it was like for my parents, sister, and boyfriend when I was diagnosed. I almost think it is harder to be the caregiver at times because you feel such a lack of control. At least that is what I felt.  

As I reflect on today I have so many emotions flowing inside me. Happiness that I am here cancer free, and I get to celebrate all God has given me, especially today because my sister and I are going to have a Pretty Little Liars Season 2 marathon and pig out on candy. Hope and Excitement for what the future holds. Peace because at this exact moment my life is as close to perfect as it has been in a really, really long time. Sadness and loss because my uncle is not here to share this day with me and we are not able to celebrate his day. Today serves as a reminder that Yes, my life did change drastically the day I was called into the doctor’s office and I never thought I would embark on the journey called cancer, but as my uncle would say “live life to the fullest”, which is exactly as I am trying to do! As I begin this next year I hope to enjoy life as much as possible, seize every opportunity thrown my way, notice and appreciate the little things in life, and let all the negative energy fly right out the window.

My Star

Today marks the five month anniversary of your passing. As each month passes I can't believe how long it has been. I know you are in a much happier place riding your bike freely in the wind. I often think am I living my life to fullest or how you would? I sure am trying. I miss you more than you ever know. I wish you could see my life now. I still do not understand why you were taken from us so early.  I miss you dearly my star.

Relay for Life~Manitowoc County 2012

On July 26th, 2012 Dennis, Mom, Brooke, Nick, and I participated in Relay for Life of Manitowoc County. It was an awesome experience to see all of the survivors, caregivers, friends, family, and loved ones come together to raise money to find a cure to beat this nasty beast. The event reminded me of how many people are affected by cancer and how many shouldn't be. We are joining together and cancer should be scared because as a wise man once told me "we are going to laugh in cancer's face because that is the one thing cancer fears". July 24th, two days before July 26th in 2009 I was diagnosed with melanoma. That day changed my life forever. I never imagined I would be walking the survivor lap or been given some of the amazing experiences I have been. I am so thankful my family and Nick were there to share this night with me.

Shopping for Scholarship

This year I was awarded a Youth Scholarship from the American Cancer Society. Because I was awarded a scholarship I was invited to speak at the Shopping for Scholarship event hosted by Joyce Bytof. It was a fun night for both Brooke and I. There were wonderful auction items as you can see from the pictures below. Bill Jartz and his wife lead the auction and as we found out also know my grandparents. From one of the pictures below his wife Mary was introducing me, Maribel, and his mutual love for green tractors with my grandpa and uncle. I was able to share my story and what it truly means to me to receive a sholarship. We were able to meet up with our great aunt and uncle at the event also, which was a very nice suprise! This event helps fund the scholarships the American Cancer Society awards.  I loved being able to attend the event and personally thank Joyce, her family, and all of the shoppers who help fund the scholarships. Thank you from the bottom of my heart <3

Awesome Opportunity

When you don't look for things, God sends them your way :) This week I received an e-mail from Laurie, a PR Manager from the American Cancer Society. About a month ago Laurie wrote a press release because I was awarded a Youth Survivor Scholarship from the American Cancer Society. This week she e-mailed me inquiring about an interview for WI Public News Service. On Tuesday I was interviewed by Tim Morrissey from WI Public News Service.  Here is the article:

WI Summer Sun Means Skin Cancer Risks

July 18, 2012

MARIBEL, Wis. - As the summer sun beats down on the Badger State during this long heat wave, a college student has some words of advice: Be careful!

Samantha Hessel of Maribel is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. A couple years ago, she was diagnosed with melanoma. A phone call from the doctor triggered an office visit she'll never forget.

"All you can think is, 'What if it's cancer? If it is cancer, what happens?' I'm a student, I'm a sophomore at this point, I'm just freaking out the entire time. So, I get to the office and they sit down, and they're like, 'Oh, you know why you're here, right?' and I said, 'No.' She goes, 'Well, you have melanoma.' "

The American Cancer Society says skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer, and its incidence is on the rise.

This year, nearly 1,400 Wisconsinites will be diagnosed with melanoma. Hessel says a lot of young people think it will never happen to them.

"Oh, completely! I thought that. I tanned in high school and I admit it, and I'm not proud to admit that, because I think that's where I got melanoma from. I think that I caused my own heartache."

Hessel says she's learned to take precautions when going outside, even on cloudy days, by using sunscreen, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and avoiding the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when its light is most intense.

So many people associate a deep tan with being healthy, Hessel says, but that's not the case, and it's a mistake a lot of young people make.

"They don't wear sunscreen, and they think that getting a sunburn is going to give them a little bit of protection when it doesn't, because the sunburn is actually showing you that you already have damaged your skin, and so does a tan."

The American Cancer Society suggests people check themselves once a month, to learn their own patterns of moles, blemishes, freckles and other marks, and report any changes in size, shape or color to a doctor. More guidelines are available online at cancer.org.

Tim Morrissey, Public News Service - WI

If you click on the link you can listen to the audio portion:
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/27487-1

This now leads to another wonderful opportunity. Thursday morning at 9:10 am I am being interviewed by Greg Stensland from WFDL Radio! Nick(my boyfriend) says he better hold onto me becuase I am becoming a celebrity. HAHAHA! When I make to Oprah or Ellen then we'll talk :) To all, hopefully you will be listening in tomorrow :)