Spot the Spot

The title of this column is exactly the words I recently saw on a poster in a doctor's office.  Most people never get to see that poster; hence this column.  The doctor was a specialist, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon.  He had just finished performing a minor in-office removal of tissue from my forehead. 

Yes, I've had my first bout with cancer.  The tissue had been biopsied and was something known as a squamous cell carcinoma, a long name for a small skin cancer.  While this sounds ominous, I'll tell you what the doctor said during my initial consult visit to put that to rest. First, he asked if I'd ever had cancer before.  When I replied that I hadn't, he said, "Well, this one won't do you in."  We both got a big laugh out of that.

I was quite fortunate that the surgery removed all traces of the offending cells, and I am on the mend.  However, as the doctor explained it, now that my skin has been invaded by those nasty little squamous cells, I am susceptible to further attacks.  Therefore, I have to schedule annual visits for follow up exams.

Now that we've taken care of that good and bad news, we'll get on to the reason for this column...  We are all somewhat vulnerable, especially those of us who worship the sun too much.  But there are ways to detect early signs of trouble.  'Spot the spot' is merely a self-exam regimen that you can practice periodically to stay aware of any changes in your skin.

The face, throat, chest, stomach ... any body parts that are easily seen, are no problem.  It is the back, the buttocks and the backs of your legs that present obstacles.  The chart that I saw suggested inspection of hard to see places on the body with a mirror, or a combination of mirrors.  My own suggestion--one not given on the chart--is that you get your spouse or significant other to inspect those areas for you.

What are you looking for?  Well, freckles, age spots, skin tags and such are harmless, as are most moles and/or 'beauty spots'.  Many skin blemishes are just that, but what you should look for is any change in shape, size or color.  Also, onset of  pain or itching at the site of a blemish can signal problems.  It won't necessarily indicate cancer, but you should have a doctor examine the problem spot.  Early detection can be critical.

In my case, the trouble started with what looked like a pimple on my forehead, and it stayed unchanged for about a month.  Then, it suddenly started growing and hurting.  Within a week, it had doubled in size and formed a gray scab.  That's when I decided to see my family doctor about it, and he excised it for biopsy.  Within two weeks I was in for the surgery.  I might have a small scar on my forehead, but I'll live with that - literally.

I hope you'll take this column to heart and perform the 'Spot the spot' exams immediately, if you aren't already taking these precautions.