What is that growing on me — could it be skin cancer? Have you asked yourself this question? During the pandemic I ignored a couple of what I thought were pimples because I was terrified to go inside a building. According to Wikipedia…

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is usually not life-threatening, though it can be aggressive. Although the nonmelanoma skin cancer basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is rarely life-threatening, it can be troublesome, especially because 80 percent of BCCs develop on highly visible areas of the head and neck.

Mayo Clinic

Apparently I have, or had, both. After a few biopsies, a topical chemotherapy treatment, and now Mohs surgery, I hope this closes a chapter. Yet it seems nearly inevitable that there will be a recurrence. And thus my education on this topic is in its genesis.

A few takeaways from this experience — don’t leave the house without sunscreen protection and learn more to successfully advocate for myself.

Here’s an entry from a chronic illness blogger about her ordeal with skin cancer.