Cancer - not again…!

Today I want to share that this week I was prompted to revisit a part of my life that was extremely challenging and put me those around me to the ultimate test.

12 years ago I was treated and won a battle against non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. A life changing experience!

Discovered by taking on the invitation in the mail to sample and send in a bowel cancer test (now available for free in AU from 45 years of age!).

Without that step I know I would not be here today, the cancer was very aggressive and was picked up at the last treatable time!

All good for 12 years, until this week….

I have been ‘pestered’ by my dear wife Anna to add to my health screening and check regime, skin screening for skin cancer.

I am again very lucky to be with a medical center where my GP could organise for quick access to their skin clinic.

The first week I got the full body high resolution images generated.

The next week I saw the treating doctor who had detected a couple of points of interest, biopsied and submitted.

This week I was back, and one of the samples returned a Stage 0 Melanoma or:

‘‘ melanoma in situ, which is a highly curable, early-stage cancer confined entirely to the top layer of skin (epidermis). It hence has not spread to deeper skin layers, lymph nodes, or other parts of the body. Standard treatment is surgical excision with narrow margins, offering a very low risk of recurrence’’

It took me a moment to let the message to sink in, and then I realised how lucky have been - once again……!

Failing to take on this testing this cancer will develop, complications and potential outcomes bears not to think about…

Next week I will have the growth removed, and I will be entering a 6 monthly testing program.

Today’s strong invitation to YOU:

For your sake and those loved ones around you, talk to your GP and map out what tests are available and recommended - AND DO THEM!