Nipping Skin Cancer in the Bud

Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer. It is the most common and least lethal form of all cancers. It is a malignant epithelial cell tumor that begins as a papule (a small, circumscribed, solid elevation of the skin) and enlarges peripherally, developing into a crater that erodes, crusts and bleeds.

Basal cell cancer is the most common skin cancer. It is much more common in fair-skinned individuals with a family history of basal cell cancer and increases in incidence closer to the equator or at higher altitude. According to Skin Cancer Foundation, there are approximately 800,000[7] new cases yearly in the United States alone.



Wednesday was the day I was getting mine removed. You could barely tell where it was located so I marked it with two orange lines below.



My first stop was to a surgeon who performed the MOHS procedure. Layer by layer the skin cancer is removed with a scalpel.I was very lucky and only have to have two layers removed. But it looks gruesome and deep.

About three hours after the cancer was removed I headed to a plastic surgeon who did the repair on my nose by making a long cut down the side of my nose and pulling the skin together. I'm not allowed to take off the bandages so I have no idea how it looks. My right eye is starting to blacken up which I expected. Matt is on his way to pick up an herbal remedy that will hopefully slow or prevent any further bruising. I'm swollen to so I have to ice every few hours.

I had no idea that one small spot of skin cancer would cause such events like a full out surgery on my face. I am working from home for the next two days so I can rest and ice. I have to sleep half sitting up so that the blood does not pool so the couch will be my home for now.

I very happy to have this whole ordeal behind me and I hope it NEVER happens again. I don't expect everyone to run out and put on sunscreen but if you are fair skinned like me you just might want to consider it.