[luckodeirish]

I survived a melanoma thanks to a dermotologist who saw just what the article mentions, a small pimple like thingy that I thought nothing of. Surgery, zap of radiation. No more sun for me though, but my skin is happy and undamaged. I swear some of these tanners look like they are wearing a leather coat.

[MichaelDammit]

I too dodged a melanoma bullet in 2001.....big one on my back, one positive lymph node in my armpit....all of which are now removed....

The biggest pain was the yearlong chemo (most of 2002) with INTERFERON (makes you feel like you have a perpetual hangover).

Now finally getting back into the real world.

This is no joke folks. One in 70 get it. Risk factors are red hair, freckles, light skin, moles, sun lamps, and severe sunburns when you were a kid. If you are over 30 and have never been to a dermatologist, PLEASE GO IN, just once for at least a background check.