Basal Cell Carcinoma

"Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It rarely metastasizes or kills, but it is still considered malignant because it can cause significant destruction and disfigurement by invading surrounding tissues. Statistically, approximately 3 out of 10 Caucasians develop a basal cell cancer within their lifetime. In 80 percent of all cases, basal cell cancers are found on the head and neck. There appears to be an increase in the incidence of basal cell cancer of the torso in recent years." -Wikipedia

I guess this is going to be part of my future. Most of you probably remember that I had an extraction done a year ago June. It was on my forehead and it was about the size of a quarter. That one was pretty advanced so a more involved procedure was called for. I went to see Dr. Checketts, MD (aka Super Derm) on Friday as a follow up for my forehead. While I was there I asked him to remove a skin tag that was under my arm and I also pointed out an odd little blister looking thing on my chest that was itchy and a dry itchy patch on one of my scarred surgery sites. Well, the two on my chest ended up being more Basal Cell. He took them off right then and there, simple procedure really, and sent them to the lab for confirmation. Now I get to go back to see Super Derm every 6 months as a precaution. Apparently my Great Grandmother on my mom's side has several spots removed towards the end of her years, so with the combination of TOO MANY SUNBURNS and heredity it looks like I'm in it for the long haul.

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No big deal really just another item to add to the ever growing list.

I think I'm going to invest in some buttons that say; NO, I AM NOT A HYPOCHONDRIAC! and NO, I DON'T LOOK SICK, BUT YOU DON'T LOOK STUPID EITHER!