The Art of Healthy Skin and the Big C Word.

So quite a few years back I noticed a spot that kind of looked like a mole under my left eye. Then the mole grew and it kind of looked blisterish. I went in to the dermatologist and lo and behold skin cancer. The big C word. 

Now to be honest I do not panic when they tell me things like this. Why? Because honestly no one gets out of this life alive and SOMETHING is going to get you one way or another. I find both the humor and the beauty in it. Because out of death grows new life and how odd to know everything will continue the same when I am gone.

I can only hope that I have a positive effect on those around me and continue to reach out and touch the world before I check out.  But check out time isn't until later and luckily enough it was Basil Cancer on my face and not a Melanoma.  So what do they do with Basil Cancer? They cut it out and try to make sure they get the skin around it too. So there I was laying on the operation table wide awake with a local stuck all around this growth. I did tell you it was under my eye didn't I? And just left slightly down from the bridge of my nose.  I could hear the cutting through skin as the skilled plastic surgeon slipped the scalpel into my face. Sort of an odd scraping noise. She cut a little triangle portion out and then expertly sewed it back together with instructions on how to avoid scarring.

Can you see a scar? Yep barely and mostly if I point it out. But I think that's the beauty of a scar isn't it? It shows we are not indefectible. Sometimes the flaws make a face more beautiful and real both in art or movies. Look at Brad Pitt for instance. Beautiful. Gorgeous walking art work and guess what? He has a scar under his left eye too. From what you may ask? Briefly, he was in junior high when he got hit in the eye with a baseball. Sixteen stitches. I only had three.  Anyway the point is the human body is gorgeous with its flaws and non-imperviousness. Because we are not perfect and because we have flaws we are beautiful one of a kind creations. 

However scars may be ok but Cancer is not.  Not in any form. As a matter of fact because I was so severely burned by the sun many years ago I have lot of watching to do on my skin.  I thought I would share with you today how I have to check my skin over for Skin Cancer periodically and I may currently have some spots again.  My hope here is to make you aware of how bad the sun is for your skin as well as maybe educate you to a new place you never thought you should look for Cancer.  Now I know you know how bad the sun is for your skin. More than likely your mom harped you about it growing up. For good reason. I knew a woman who had cancer so severely on her nose that it looked carved up like a Thanksgiving turkey when they removed it all. Beautiful to me? Yes, to others? maybe not so much. So lets try and avoid that shall we?

First I have a really cool free PDF for you that you can download. It goes over how to check your body for skin cancer. Cool right?

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how_to_spot-skin_cancer_infographic.pdf
File Size:	1627 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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This is a mini view on the right of what is in the PDF file you can download.  It has a print out that helps you recognize some of the things you should look for and where. Did you know you need to check the scalp by parting the hair (If you have any), the palms, the soles of your feet, between your toes and even the genital areas? Cancer can be in the areas that got exposed to sun but in the areas that you thought didn't get exposed too. Clothing only partially blocks sun.

You are already checking now aren't you? I wasn't peeking I swear but do contact me for a live nude drawing wont you? Just kidding! Well anyway if you have been exposed to lots of sun growing up or over the last few years schedule a periodical visit with a dermatologist.  Stay on top of that sexy skin. Need help finding one? head on over to the American Academy of Dermatology. They can help you find a dermatologist near you AND they have a skin cancer awareness test you can take to see how much you know. I am happy to say I scored a 100%. Wanna see my certificate? Ok now if you click on my certificate it will take you right over to the Academy so you can read more on the subject of skin cancer. Take care of your skin will you? Its a beautiful canvas!