Rhonda Dunaway
04-01-2010, 10:59 PM
Over the winter, I developed a red spot on the left side of my waist. At first, I thought it was just dry skin or even chafing that had developed as my holiday weight gain caused the waistlines of my clothing to cut into my skin. However, when the spot began to change over time (darkening in color, getting ragged borders and then bleeding), I decided that I had better get into the dermatologist and get it checked. When the doctor examined the spot, she told me the medical name for what I had, assured me that it was harmless and told me that I could easily have it removed since it was becoming irritated. She also told me that since I was in her office, it would be a good idea for me to have a full body check of all my skin from head to toe. It was during this examination that she found a spot on my rear end that she told me was a type of mole that could eventually develop into melanoma if left untreated. She advised me that it needed to be removed right away, and I agreed, of course.
When the nurse came in to prep me for the removal, she asked if I knew that I had the mole. I told her that since I was not in the habit of stripping down naked and then backing up to a full-length mirror while holding a magnifying mirror in my hand so that I could carefully examine my own backside in minute detail, that, no, I didn't know I had the mole. I told her that as a general rule, I avoid studying my own behind as much as possible. She laughed and told me that she understood what I meant.
When I got home and told my husband what had happened, he was confused and wondered aloud how I could possibly get a potentiallly dangerous mole in that particular location. I told him that I must have gotten it during all those times I've cavorted on the nude beaches of the French Riviera. Seriously, though, that part of my body has never, ever seen the light of day. Apparently, you can develop skin cancer even on parts of your body that have not been exposed to the sun.
Before I am accused of giving you TMI or trying anything for a chuckle, let me assure you that this is not the case. The reason I'm sharing this information is to let everyone know how crucially important it is to get a full body check with a dermatologist on an annual basis. And, don't automatically assume that some part of your body is safe because it's never exposed to the sun. And, if you ever have anything on your skin that looks suspicous or causes you concern, please get it checked out. In a weird way, I feel that the ultimately harmless but irritating red spot on my waist may have ended up saving my life.
P.S. Don't skip the sunscreen either!
When the nurse came in to prep me for the removal, she asked if I knew that I had the mole. I told her that since I was not in the habit of stripping down naked and then backing up to a full-length mirror while holding a magnifying mirror in my hand so that I could carefully examine my own backside in minute detail, that, no, I didn't know I had the mole. I told her that as a general rule, I avoid studying my own behind as much as possible. She laughed and told me that she understood what I meant.
When I got home and told my husband what had happened, he was confused and wondered aloud how I could possibly get a potentiallly dangerous mole in that particular location. I told him that I must have gotten it during all those times I've cavorted on the nude beaches of the French Riviera. Seriously, though, that part of my body has never, ever seen the light of day. Apparently, you can develop skin cancer even on parts of your body that have not been exposed to the sun.
Before I am accused of giving you TMI or trying anything for a chuckle, let me assure you that this is not the case. The reason I'm sharing this information is to let everyone know how crucially important it is to get a full body check with a dermatologist on an annual basis. And, don't automatically assume that some part of your body is safe because it's never exposed to the sun. And, if you ever have anything on your skin that looks suspicous or causes you concern, please get it checked out. In a weird way, I feel that the ultimately harmless but irritating red spot on my waist may have ended up saving my life.
P.S. Don't skip the sunscreen either!