Summers past but your risk of melanoma is still high

Peter Sturrock grew up in the sun.

“When I was little we went to the beach all the time and got burned and I think you get susceptible to that and I do have a lot of moles on me,“ he said.

He just never realized the impact those moles would have on his health later in life.

About 15 years ago, Peter went to see surgical oncologist Robert Piorkowski about a cyst on his neck.

During that appointment the doctor found something else much more serious.

“He saw a mole on my back and immediately knew it was a melanoma, removed it as much as he could right there,“ Sturrock said.

“Melanomas, as you know, are skin cancers that can kill people.  There’s no question.  However, the death rate or prognosis of melanoma lies with the fact of exactly how deep it is and obviously the longer it’s growing on your body the deeper it gets,“ Dr. Robert Piorkowski said.

In Peter’s case, he was told if he didn’t find it when he did, the mole could have been fatal within six months.

Since then he’s had five more moles removed.

“Precancerous but left alone each one could have been fatal. You can’t believe it.  I guess that’s what it comes to—this little spot on your skin could kill you,“ Sturrock said.

And you can get melanoma anywhere on your body.

“You can also get melanomas in your mouth, you can get melanomas in your GI tract, you can get melanoma where skin never sees the sun,“ Dr. Piorkowski said.

However ... the sun does often play a role. 

So now Peter, who is an avid golfer, takes precautions.

“I make sure I use sunscreen of 30-40. I’m a golfer. I’m outside. I still like the beach, but I put a lot of sunscreen on and really am very careful about that,“ he said.

Doctor Piorkowski advises anyone who’s fair, has moles, and had multiple sun burns in their life get checked out.

“The cure rate for thin melanomas approaches 100% if taken care of soon,“  he said.

“Getting a professional to look at it could save your life,“ Sturrock said.

Advice from a man who knows.