Article Source: msnbc.com
from:msnbc.comMelanoma survivors are at increased risk of other cancers as well as the return of their skin cancers, according to a new study, leading National Cancer Institute researchers to urge lifelong follow-up of such survivors.
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Yee-HAH! Going on 5 years survival. Diagnosed with Stage III-c Malignant Melanoma in June '05. Had taken out 9" long by 3 1/2" wide by 2 1/2" deep piece of left lower back in July '05, did sentinal node biopsy, found lymph nodes in left groin infested, did radical left inguinal node dissection in August '05. Then my little friend Interferon Alfa 2-B for 13 months. So far so good. But, don't be expecting me to get any more Cancer guys, that Interferon made me a walking dead man and I don't want to EVER go through THAT again, so I'll pass on becoming a statistic in your study. People, use sun block, LOTS of sunblock. Oh! I fit the profile perfectly, I'm white, blond, blue eyes and was 57 years old when I was diagnosed. Oh! and I was sunburned a lot when I was a little kid, protect your children mom's, it'll pay off in later years. Peace.
Good for you, Old Explorer. We just lost a friend to melanoma, Had regular medical checkups, good medical care. Was diagnosed end of November '09, and passed away February 6, '10.
Keep up the good work, Bud.
Thank You, I live and am thankful for each and every day I have and I live it for all those who didn't survive. That Melanoma is a nasty monster and I am so sorry you lost your friend to it, but just remember this, you know ONE person who whipped its hind end. Peace.
Make that two survivors. Stage 3 - December 1987. Skin grafts, mucho pain. Interferon was out of the question. I either lived or didn't. I guess I did. Never been sunburned since, but that's because I stay out of the sun for fun, and sunblock is a joke. STAY OUT OF THE SUN if you're half-nekkid.
Cover up and drink beer and have all the sex you can. If you're going to die, die a happy man.
HoldYourHeadUp - Way to go, Way to go. It is so refreshing to see another Melanoma survivor ESPECIALLY a Stage III. 28 years, man now THAT'S just outstanding. I hope we are still talking in 28 more. I duck in and out of the sun keeping in the shade as much as I can during the peak hours. Live in Carlsbad CA by the beach, just gotta live smart. Keep up the good work, you're the kind of statistic a guy could get use to. Another one going against the study, I LOVE it.
Always inspired me when my surgeon told me two things: 1) whenever I teach I talk about you,
and
2) You're a hell of a fighter, because every other patient I had in your shape is dead.
" and always Hold your Head up" Be proud for the right to be alive, it's your only chance at it, that I know of...fight for your rights.
And thank you
Gee, notice there's no political bs on this thread?
HoldYourHeadUp - THAT seems to be a common denominator amongst all cancer Survivors I have talked to, they are all "A Hell of a Fighter", when my doctor told me I had cancer I got mad as hell, he told me GOOD you're on your way to recovery already. I talk with cancer patients at the hospital where I go, my Oncologist asked me to, I encourage them to FIGHT DAMMIT. It is very depressing when I see so many people just sitting feeling sorry for themselves or waiting to die, they need to be told to get out there and LIVE don't just sit and wait to die. You are a Model Patient my friend and I hope you talk to Cancer Patients where you live too. Sometimes people just need to be encouraged, sometimes I get them so mad they want to fight. I smile and say "Now fight Cancer with that attitude." Peace.
For some startling information on the treatment of cancer, go to Google Video and watch:
"Run From The Cure - The Rick Simpson Story".
You will be completely astounded.
I don't believe in Witch Doctors. I'm sure there are exceptions to every cure and some are cured miraculously? I have heard where Cancer is fatal and then the doctors couldn't find a trace of it later on. For MY experience Stage III Soft Tissue Sarcoma 1991 and Stage III Malignant Melanoma 2005 good ol American Medicine cut out the monsters from my body and chemicals killed the stray cells but not me. Now kicking Parkinson's butt. ALL these attributed to "Better Living Through Chemistry", in particular DIOXIN in Agent Orange in Vietnam. But "Don't WORRY it's ONLY Weedkiller." People prayed, so THAT worked. A Sioux Combat Vet made me a Medicine Stick, I still have it, THAT works too. See, my friends, what I am saying,use whatever floats your boat. Each and every cancer case is unique and you must do what YOU think is right after getting all the information available from as many doctors as possible. I did that, WE made the decision, and something must of went right, so MY particular plan worked. What works for you may not work for another, but DON'T put down someone elses treatment regimen, it is none of your business. To you cancer survivors out there, WAY TO GO GUYS and GIRLS, WAY TO GO. I Love every day given me.
I was very fortunate that my melanoma was found very early in Stage 1. I had an excision and a sentinal node biopsy and all was clear. That was 2 years ago this month. I spent the first year worrying like crazy...but the last year I've had a very realistic mental outlook on melanoma and believe it to be in my past.
This study does nothing to make me further worry as I don't understand how you do a study like this and not divide out the people who had melanoma by stage. Because someone like me who had a stage 1 had a hell of a different process than those who had to fight stage III or IV.....Someone with stage II, III, or IV have a much higher chance of recurrence than someone with a stage I simply because their original tumor was larger. This study seems a bit too vague to me.
Congrats to you who have survived stage III melanoma. I cannot imagine the fear you must have had as I know I was nearly paralyzed by stage I! You are an inspiration and I wish you the best of health.
Have you had your dose of skin cancer today under the tanning bed? While you are getting that lovely tan, give your brain a dose of radiation as well by talking on the cell phone.
Those things increase your chances of getting Melanoma by 2,000% people, is it worth it? Use that spray on stuff, stay away from the booths. Or like Ben said get a little radiation by talking on your cell phone too, AND might as well smoke a pack or two of cigarettes while you're getting that tan. In fact, just kiss a train and get it over with.
Well, I'll never forget the moment my doctor (actually it was the surgeon, when my regular doctor saw it he IMMEDIATELY sent me to see a surgical specialist in melanomas and he first did a biopsy, so I pretty much figured I was screwed from the get-go) had me come back for my consultation (that was at 5 p.m. on a Friday-another bad omen) and he told me that my tumor was malignant, I just sat there shaking and got freezing cold inside. It scared the heck out of me. I was scared for about one day and then just got pissed and decided that I wasn't ready to go. I was 34 and life was just getting good. Cancer is a bastard - fight it.
Thanks for your kind words and insight, "Veteran". Good luck to you.
But as far as trains go, I like 'em, but not enough to kiss one!!
HoldYourHeadUp - That little message was for people who frequent tanning booths. You hang in ther too my friend, I hope you die of old age when you are a hundred or so. There IS a little good news with this Melanoma, and you take your gift of life and live it to the fullest, just like your Doctor said. I do too. That moment when you are told you have cancer is a very lonely scary moment, like where the camera pulls back in a movie and you are standing all alone in the middle of the desert. Then you hear a faint voice echoing in the distance, Are you all right?, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT? then you come around and it hits you what just happened, and THEN I was pissed, just as you and the fight was on, the fight for your LIFE, and that is one heck of a fight. A fight you aren't going to give in to. You stand at the gates of Hell, but you DON'T back down. You have a great life. Peace.
You all are so much more positive than the headline! My dad was first diagnosed with Melanoma in 2002 (don't remember the stage, but the doctors had to take out some lymph nodes). He went through 2 years of Interferon (sp?).
A few years later, a spot was found on his lung ... it was melanoma. As a family, we weren't told that melanoma can show up ANYWHERE on your body. The docs took it out and confirmed it wasn't lung cancer. On with the Interferon again.
My dad was diagnosed with Prostate cancer in the last year. It was an early stage, so it was easy to treat. My dad has to go to the cancer doc at least twice a year as part of his post-treatment plan.
At his dermatologist appointment a couple of months ago, they found another spot on his arm that tested early melanoma, and got it all cut out (with a nice 15 stitch hole in his arm). Through the years of going to different doctors many times a year, he has been able to be on top of the changes his skin, etc. go through.
I have been going to his dermatologist once a year, and have gotten moles taken off but thankfully, none have came back even pre-cancerous. I am 33 with very fair skin ... and stopped going in the sun without long-sleeve tops and long pants about 15 years ago. That makes trips to S. Cali and L.V. very hot and uncomfortable! LOL
My dad has been wearing the SPF clothes you can buy. He and I never went outside to tan or went to tanning salons. We were very into camping and sailing (him, more the sailing). He still sails, but is completely covered with his SPF clothes.
sorry for the misspellings
cygne - Your Father sounds like a fighter too. Let him know there are those out there like myself and HoldYourHeadUp who also battle this monster and aren't giving in. That is the scary thing about this Melanoma, it can pop up anywhere, lung, liver, brain (Bob MARLEY died of a Melanoma tumor on his brain), I took Interferon Alfa-2b for 13 months that stuff is God Awful, I was like a zombie during that period of my life, I hope to never have to take that stuff again. Tell your Father he is a real trooper to be able to take that interferon head on, I admire him for that alone. Hang in there, I live in Carlsbad by the beach and duck in and out of the sun during the summer. I also use the sunblock and a nice big brimmed hat. I hope you or your Father have no more incounters with Melanoma. Some DO make it, and that is good. He is doing right though, being checked regularly. I get a dermatology check every 3 months and Oncologist and X-rays and Cat Scans every 6 months, plus if I see something suspicious I run to my doctor like a little kid. But you have to take all precautions to prevent this thing getting a foothold and passing the point of no return.
He has told us that everything tasted like lighter fluid while on Interferon. Needless to say, he wasn't interested in food too much while on it. I'm very proud of him for sticking with all the doctor's appointments, I'm sure he gets tired of them ... you probably relate? I KNOW that has helped not developing anything untreatable. I'm trying my darnness to make sure I take care of myself as well. I'm a little sun Nazi to my kids - sunscreen and long SPF clothes for them when outside. My girl has my skin, she (like myself) can get red from the sun in 10 min.
Thank you so much for your words and good luck to you!
And to YOU too. It sounds like you are in control there. Keep encouraging your Father to keep vigilant with this stuff and I hope he, also, lives to be over 100. Peace to you ALL.