Free Skin Cancer Screenings/My Personal Journey.

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Apr 21, 2014

Shelley W.

I'm still dealing with the the cancerous growth that was located in a hard reach area of back ( to apply sunscreen that is). I'm very fortunate and blessed to have health insurance to pick up the large expense of treatment and aftercare. The day that I had it removed for biospy I had to write a check out for well over $100 just for the visit and incision. Once the doctor learned it was indeed cancer I had to make the difficult decision of them going back in and removing yet MORE surrounding tissue just as a precaution. Having a nice chunk of flesh removed from one's back is not a pretty sight.

While some would argue the dangers of using sunscreen after my experience and seeing folks in far worse situations than myself I definitely disagree with that argument.

I go in for radiation treatments which is not fun at all and as I sit in the waiting area I have the opportunity to overhear conversations amongst fellow patients who discuss the expense of their treatments and doctors visits. Some individuals do not have insurance and have dug into 401k plans to pay for expenses. Many of them waited too long to have a suspect mole looked it and now facing cancer spread to other organs. I'm not Bill Gates by any stretch of the imagination and while I wish I could go in and take care of everyone's medical bills I sat and wondered what could I do to help someone else avoid this nastiness.

Prevention is vital but so is early detection and awareness.

I asked my treatment team is there anywhere a person can go for a free screening. They gave me several places.

The Skin Cancer Foundation offers Free Skin Cancer Screenings Across America. This year its sponsored by Rite Aid and they ride along in a big bus making stops along the way to give free screenings.

skincancer.org Go under the events tag and it will give you a listing of all the stops with dates and times.

Another avenue in which to get a free screening...

American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
Under public resources you can locate the link for Find a Free Skin Cancer Screening by state which will give a skin cancer volunteer (a qualified dermo surgeon who volunteers his/her scheduling book to see patients for a free screening).

Sorry for the long post but I thank you in advance for taking the time to read. If the information is of no benefit to you at least pass it on to someone else who may be in need. :)

Apr 21, 2014

Jocelyn S.

Thank you for sharing! I have a small mole I've been meaning to get checked out.

Apr 21, 2014

Danny C.

This is great info Shelley! again I'm sorry for what you have to go through. when I was diagnosed w melenoma and had no insurance it was incredibly scary both in terms of having it and worrying about the cost. luckily the surgery was discounted to $600 but each biopsy all 3 biopsys I had were over $300 a piece. I'm very lucky it was caught early enough that I didn't need further treatment after the surgery. I wish you all the best w your treatment!

Apr 21, 2014

duffs g.

I'm sorry to hear your journey, thank you for the information. cancer touches so many lives now, free screenings will save lives :-)

Apr 21, 2014

Mhairi M.

Thankyou shelley for thinking of us and raising this awareness, I have had two moles removed that have fortunately been benign but it has made me much more vigilant, good luck with your continuing treatment and thanks again for sharing with us x

Apr 21, 2014

Raylene I.

Oh my. I'm soo sorry your going through this Shelly. I'm fortunate enough to be in Canada with free health care and have had several screenings and removals and biopsies for 5 suspicious moles, resulting in two cancerous ones (the two I actually felt were going to be safe!) again I'm sorry about your journy!! Sending love!

Apr 21, 2014

Raylene I.

^^ sorry meant to say I had all that without any out of pocket expense.**

Apr 21, 2014

Jocelyn S.

What is a general skin check like? Will they scrape my mole? Does it hurt?

Apr 22, 2014

Grace K.

Thank you Shelley! I recently discovered a tumor in my neck and cancer is no joke! This information is so helpful I hope this stays in the popular page forever 😍

Apr 22, 2014

Traci L.

Thanks for the valuable information Shelley an my prayers and love are with uuu

Apr 22, 2014

Regina B.

You are an amazing person Shelley. I wish you all the luck and joy in the world as you go through this trial in your life. As well as all of the other ladies that posted (or did not yet post) their own experiences with cancer. I appreciate the information. I can honestly say that because of BeautyLish I have become more vigilant about sunscreen use and will try to continue to be ever vigilant. I try also, not to be so quick to walk out of the house without first thinking about what type/length of sun exposure I may get.

Apr 22, 2014

Tracy M.

I wish you all the best my prayers are with you& your family ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Apr 22, 2014

Tina K.

Such an informative and heart-touching post. Thank you for having the courage to share this. Hopefully it will help others. You know you have our prayers and support!

Apr 22, 2014

Bree B.

Thanks Shelley!
Jocelyn, a skin check is a visual look at your skin for any abnormalities. Sometimes the Dr will look closer with this thing that resembles the tool jewelers use to look at diamonds. I've had two moles removed and they numb the area completely before they remove them. Afterwards you're a *little* sore but nbd. Sometimes they don't remove the whole thing but take a plug of it. Again, they numb you, so besides the initial numbing injection there's no pain.
THE SKIN CHECK ITSELF IS PAINLESS!!

Apr 22, 2014

Amy M.

This is such valuable information! Thanks so much for sharing. Believe it or not, you may have just saved a life or ten. You're a good woman.

Apr 22, 2014

Mary T.

I hardly burn and I don't tan so I never wore SPF unless I was going to be in the sun more than 1/2 hour. After reading about your problems I'm SPF everyday all day. I'm pretty freckley but safe so far. Just had a check up two weeks ago!! I know that your posts have made me think!! Bless your heart! And skin! Get well💋💋💋

Apr 23, 2014

Bonnie R.

Shelley thank you so much for this! *hug* My thoughts are with you, and I hope you are well. I've been wondering how to get screened. I am very white and had a couple of really bad sunburns over the years. I'm definitely going to follow up on this.