I had noticed it, but it looked quite innocuous and as I have had over the years those sort of things and others like it taken off with liquid nitrogen, I thought she would prescribe the same procedure.
However, the doctor suspected something more sinister and, with the aid of her high-powered torch, had a closer inspection and said it appeared to be melanoma.
Another doctor a week or two later confirmed her prognosis so an appointment was arranged with a skin specialist to operate on the offending tissue.
Four weeks ago, I was operated on, and while there were some complications following surgery, the doctor reported back the analyses from the lab.
Tests had resulted in a successful outcome, which was so reassuring. I am also grateful for the skill of the medical professionals and as Southlanders, we are fortunate in having a skin clinic in Gore.
I guess with melanoma I had been lulled into a false understanding of the disease.
Mole mapping is actively promoted on TV and on wall displays in medical centres waiting rooms, as is that melanoma begins when a mole starts changing, but that is not the case.
My doctor, Jeremy, explained melanoma was a skin cancer and could show up anywhere on the body, but was more prevalent on the face, arms and legs as they were more exposed to the sun.
New Zealand has the highest rate of melanoma in the world, 6000 diagnosed each year, and more people die of skin cancer than on our roads.
On a pro rata basis, Southland has a higher incidence of the disease than other parts of the country — possibly due to the ethnic demographics of our population, as a large percentage of settlers came from countries with high Celtic or Scandinavian DNA influences.
Some of us have inherited red or fair hair and pale skin, which coupled with clear air, if unprotected from the sun’s UV radiation, can do a lot of harm.
My wife, Audrey, is also being treated for skin cancer on her nose just now. We always wear hats when we go outside — maybe we aren’t liberal enough with the sunscreen, but we are conscious of the consequences.
We lost a brother in-law to melanoma and a cousin to skin cancer, both in their early 50s.
We are all lacking natural vitamin D this year, so treat the sun with respect.
By Henry McFadzien
