What is it like to experience melanoma?
While less common than other types of skin cancers, melanoma is more dangerous. It starts in the melanocytes (the cells that give your skin its colour) though can be found anywhere on the body – even parts never exposed to sunlight. In Australia, there is a melanoma diagnosis every 30 minutes, making Australia the country with the highest melanoma in the world.1 Recently, we talked with Graeme, who shared his story with melanoma so far.
A childhood outdoors
Graeme grew up in the bush in the 1960’s and 70’s and spent most of his time biking, swimming, fishing and playing sport. Blue-eyed and fair-skinned, he remembers this as a time where no one really knew about melanoma, sunscreen use was not commonplace and getting tanned was the norm. Given this culture and his colouring, being sunburnt was a regular thing, “so that was when the damage was likely done.”
Melanoma in the inner circle
Long before his own diagnosis, a very close family friend died from melanoma, so Graeme felt “acutely and emotionally aware of how nasty it could be.” This was the 1980s, when slip, slop, slap campaign was huge, and the whole experience sparked a change for Graeme, “I changed my habits, I always put copious amounts of sunscreen and started wearing very unattractive, unfashionable wide hats,” he quips.
However, sun damage is cumulative over time and melanoma does not develop overnight. “You can have melanoma cells in your system and they’re quiet for 30 years,” and Graeme found a lump behind his ear in 2010. “The specialist said, mate, I’m 95% sure it’s melanoma. I’ll take it out next week.” After removal, tests confirmed it was advanced, and quite aggressive, melanoma, starting a long and difficult cancer journey.
A sun safe lifestyle
“It doesn’t matter if you’re in your 50s and you’re thinking ‘I must be OK.’ Rubbish. Put your sunscreen on,” Graeme reminds us. Besides daily sunscreen, here are his other tips.
Be aware of changes in your skin
Use the ABCDE guidelines and notice any changes to size, shape, sensation.
Regular skin checks
One of the things which works well with melanoma is getting it early. A yearly skin check is an excellent idea in a country like Australia, where rates of skin cancer are so high.
Teach kids
“We toilet train kids and teach them to eat a balanced diet. Sunscreen is just another one of those fundamental steps,” says Graeme
Today counts
Whether continuing sun safe habits or beginning for the first time, today matters
Wide-brimmed hat
The more “obvious” the hat, the better says Graeme. Don’t forget the swim hat (they make them for adults too!)
Long sleeves
Choose light fabrics to keep cool and look for a long-sleeved rashie for the pool or beach.
How can I face melanoma?
Grame’s melanoma journey is ongoing and there are many things he has learned along the way, including how to cultivate an outlook and circle that support you.
- Don’t get too far ahead of yourself – Take it quite literally a day and an appointment at a time
- Keep to the present – “Don’t go down the path of the ‘what ifs’,” he says or ruminate on the past
- Be realistic – “Be as positive as you can but at the same time, don’t ignore or turn your back on the facts of the situation. Be open to the facts as well as your desire to beat the cancer,”
- Be truthful – For Graeme, this meant no secrets or lies, especially when it came to his children
- Lean on others – “My family is my greatest support. Them marching with me has been hugely uplifting,”