We cut cancer out of a woman’s forehead.
Yes, it’s true. It was incredible. I got her all comfy in a big chair and put a sterile field over face and we cut out a suspicious looking skin growth and sent it to the pathology lab. A few stitches later and she was on her way. 4 days later I get a one page report on my desk: “squamous cell carcinoma confirmed: borders clear.” BOOM. That means we cut out all the cancer and she’s cured. Note: squamous cell is not a terrible type of cancer but it is malignant.
So what does this really mean?
1. It’s not really that simple, but it can be.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could just cut out all cancer? The gravity of the situation is not lost on me as we sent this woman home with peace of mind and a warning. This means that she was incredibly lucky and that she must also be equally as vigilant. The truth of cancer is that we cannot always just cut it out. Most often it is too far advanced, too invasive, too dangerous to just yank it out of our bodies. I know that in watching my loved ones suffer and eventually pass away from their invasive and tortuous tumors that I wanted badly to find a way to just take it out. So here comes the painful and powerful lesson. Cancer sometimes can be cut out…if you find it early enough. Which leads me to my second point.
2. Early Detection is a Key to Prevention
This woman came to her doctor and said, “I have this weird spot, can you check it out?” YES, yes, yes, yes, yes. We will NEVER say no to checking out weird spots, moles, bumps, lumps, and freckles. Why?? Because that’s how we find cancer. Most of the time it will be nothing, but please don’t feel silly for asking. My beloved aunt that passed away from bladder cancer had been to the emergency department twice for blood in her urine. They assumed a UTI and she was treated and sent on her way. By the time she was treated she had Stage 3. Please don’t wait for symptoms to be so bad that they cannot be ignored. A polyp is the beginning of a tumor in the colon and can be snipped away in a nanosecond during a colonoscopy. Early detection always, always, always, means easier, safer, and more treatment options.
I get the rare and special privilege of asking every woman who in our office a few important and extremely intimate questions about her body. The most important being: “do you perform self breast exams?” 9 times out of 10 the answer is “ummmm, I know I should but I don’t”. My response? “Get to know your own boobs!” They are right there in front of your and everyone else’s face all day. I would much rather get a million mammogram reports on my desk that read “benign” than one that says, “biopsy”. Simple, monthly breast checks can save so much worry and doubt if a woman knows what bumps are normal for her. It is these simple tasks that can literally save lives.
Actual things you should do to take charge of your health:
1. Breast checks- start in your twenties so you’re good friends with yourself by your 40s.
2. Regular gynecological visits according to your doctor and your risk factors.
3. Get a colonoscopy if you are over 50 or if a first degree relative has had colon cancer.
4. Know your history. Take a medical family tree and know your risks.
5. If you have fair skin: Do a body check every time you change the oil on your car. Bonus points- have a special someone do your body check because they can see your back and scalp.
6. Stop smoking or using tobacco. That’s just important for life in general.
7. If you experience symptoms such as chronic fatigue, unusual bleeding, pain without injury or activity, shortness of breath, a suspicious change in bowel or bladder habits, or a strange lump, bump, or bruise please go see your doctor.
Cancer is not simple or easy but with vigilance and a few uncomfortable but easy actions you can potentially prevent your own diagnosis. This does not mean there are always signs or that those with preventable cancers did something wrong. It does mean we have every responsibility to everything we can to take care of ourselves.
Blessings,
Amy
