Danielle McClune, 58, who lives in Brisbane, was in her 40s when she noticed a sore that wouldn’t heal on the top of her head. He showed it to a doctor, who thought it was a tick bite. He left it for six months before checking it again. This time a biopsy revealed it was basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Danielle McClune (pictured), 58, who lives in Brisbane, was in her 40s when she noticed a wound that wouldn’t heal on the top of her head
What is basal cell carcinoma?
A type of skin cancer that starts in the basal cells. Basal cells produce new skin cells as old ones die. Limiting sun exposure can help prevent these cells from becoming cancerous. This cancer usually appears as a white, waxy bump or a brown, scaly patch on sun-exposed areas such as the face and neck. “I had never had skin cancer before this, although I knew it ran in my family. After telling me the news, the doctor told me “this won’t be your last,” she told FEMAIL. After the diagnosis, Mrs McClune’s BCC was removed in her doctor’s surgery, but the procedure had to be repeated twice. As a result, the young mum was left with a bald patch on her head which had to be fixed by a plastic surgeon 12 months later when another BCC was removed from her nose. “Unfortunately the BCC in my skull came back in the exact same spot two years later and this time a plastic surgeon took a golf ball sized flap out of my skull which required 22 staples to close,” he said. “This was such a stressful and painful experience. I felt completely unprepared for what the healing process would be like after surgery. “When I finally saw a picture of the staples in my head and the sheer size of the affected area, I felt physically ill.” “I had never had skin cancer before this, although I knew it ran in my family. After telling me the news, the doctor said “this won’t be your last,” she told FEMAIL (pictured with her family) As a result, the young mum was left with a bald patch on her head which had to be fixed by a plastic surgeon 12 months later when another BCC was removed from her nose. Mrs McClune initially had a skin check every six months after the BCC was found on her scalp, but this increased to three every month after she was diagnosed with multiple squamous cell carcinomas. “These are more aggressive than a BCC and I had one on the side of my face and on my arm,” he said. “The last time I had my skin checked, they took five biopsies from different parts of my body and all five came back positive for skin cancer. “Whenever I have a mole or scab that feels even a little bit suspicious, I get checked out right away. I’ve really lost count of how much I’ve removed at this point.’ Mrs. McClune’s parenting style has changed drastically since the cancer broke out. Ms McClune initially had a skin check every six months after the BCC was found on her scalp, but this increased to three months after she was diagnosed with multiple squamous cell carcinomas Her family will only vacation at the beach in the winter, her children always wore hats and rash vests with regular application of sunscreen non-negotiable (pictured after the BCC was removed from her head) Her family will only vacation at the beach in the winter, her kids always wore hats and rash vests with regular sunscreen application a “non-negotiable.” “It got to the point where wearing a rashie was so ingrained in my kids that even if we went swimming in the pool at night my son would wear his shirt,” she said. “We put a shade over our pool and avoided going outside during the hottest parts of the day. Whenever we are at the beach we always have the Cool Cabana or the beach umbrella and in the park you will find me under a tree in the shade. “It definitely made me delusional that my children or even my grandchildren could go through what I’ve gone through. Now as a grandmother, I am even more determined to protect my granddaughter from the sun and make sure that sun protection is a habit and not a choice.’ “It definitely made me delusional that my children or even my grandchildren could go through what I’ve gone through. Now as a grandmother, I am even more determined to protect my granddaughter from the sun and make sure that sun protection is a habit, not a choice.” New research has revealed Australians are not taking skin cancer seriously enough, with a third (31 per cent) of Australians admitting they have never had a skin cancer check. Data shows more than a quarter of Australians (26 per cent) can’t remember the last time they had their skin checked. New research by The Banyans Healthcare Group also finds that more than a quarter (26 per cent) of Queenslanders have never had a skin cancer check, despite the state reporting the highest rates of skin cancer in Australia . Doctors generally recommend 12-monthly skin cancer screening for every adult, with more frequent screenings often recommended (3-6 monthly) due to clinical indicators of higher risk. Doctors generally recommend 12-month skin cancer screening for every adult, with more frequent screenings often recommended (3-6 monthly) due to clinical indicators of higher risk
Melanoma: The most dangerous form of skin cancer
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It happens after the DNA in skin cells is damaged (usually due to harmful UV rays) and then not repaired, triggering mutations that can form malignant tumors.
Reasons
Sun exposure: UV and UVB rays from the sun and tanning beds are harmful to the skin Moles: The more moles you have, the higher your risk for melanoma Skin type: Lighter skin has a higher risk of developing melanoma Hair color: Red heads are more at risk than others Personal history: If you’ve had melanoma once, you’re more likely to get it again Family history: If previous relatives have been diagnosed, then this increases the risk
Treatment This can be done by removing the entire portion of the tumor or by having the surgeon remove the skin layer by layer. When a surgeon removes it layer by layer, it helps them know exactly where the cancer stops, so they don’t have to remove more skin than necessary. The patient may decide to use a skin graft if the procedure has left behind discoloration or an indentation.
Immunotherapy, radiotherapy or chemotherapy:
This is needed if the cancer reaches stage III or IV. This means that the cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes or other organs in the body. Prevention
Use sunscreen and don’t get burned Avoid tanning outside and in beds Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside Keep newborns out of the sun Examine your skin every month See your doctor every year for a skin exam
Source: Skin Cancer Foundation and American Cancer Society With only a third (34 per cent) of Australians going to their GP for a skin cancer check at the recommended frequency of once a year and just one in ten (10 per cent) going once every six months, experts are urging Australians to take skin cancer more seriously even in the cooler months. “It’s important for Australians across the country not to be complacent about skin care in winter – sun exposure is just as damaging when it’s cold,” said skin cancer specialist and general practitioner at The Banyans Medical Center Dr Tamara Weerasinghe. “Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, so it’s essential to see your doctor for regular check-ups, as well as putting on sunscreen before going outside. “Sun protection is recommended if the UV index is above 3 and research shows that the UV index in Queensland almost never falls below 3 during daylight hours all year round. Even in winter. “It’s important for Australians across the country not to be complacent about skin care in winter – sun exposure is just as damaging when it’s cold,” said skin cancer specialist and general practitioner at Banyans Medical Center Dr Tamara Weerasinghe. “Frequent skin checks are usually recommended especially in Queensland as we have the highest rates in the world due to certain risk factors, with almost two in three Queenslanders being diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.” In addition to general skin cancer screenings every 12 months, Dr Weerasinghe also stresses the importance of Australians checking their skin regularly and knowing what to look out for when it comes to early signs of skin cancer. “Monitoring your skin and being aware of some of the signs of skin cancer, in addition to regular skin checks with your GP, should be part of a healthy skin routine for all Australians. “While skin cancer rates generally increase with age, melanoma can occur in much younger people and is among the two leading causes of cancer in the under-45 age group.
What are the warning signs of melanoma?
The first five letters of the alphabet are a guide to help you recognize the warning signs of melanoma. A is for Asymmetry. Most melanomas are asymmetric. If you draw a line down the middle of the lesion, the two halves do not match, so it looks different from round to oval and symmetrical common nevus. B is for borders. Melanoma borders tend to be uneven and may have scaly or jagged edges, while common moles tend to have smoother, more uniform borders. C is for color. Multiple colors are a warning sign. While benign moles are usually a single shade of brown, a melanoma can be different shades of brown, brown, or black. As it grows, the colors red, white or blue may also appear. D is for diameter or dark. While it’s ideal to detect a melanoma when it’s small, it’s a warning sign if a lesion is the size of a pencil eraser (about 6 mm or ¼ inch in diameter) or larger. Some experts say it’s also important to look for any lesion, regardless of size, that is darker than others. Rare, amelanotic melanomas are colorless. E is for Evolving. Any change in size, shape, color or elevation of a…
