This Is Skin Cancer Archives - The Skin Cancer Foundation https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/true-stories/ Education, prevention, early detection, and treatment of skin cancer Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:21:39 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://www.skincancer.org/wp-content/uploads/SCF-LOGO-273x240.png This Is Skin Cancer Archives - The Skin Cancer Foundation https://www.skincancer.org/blog/category/true-stories/ 32 32 Skin Cancer Is Personal https://www.skincancer.org/blog/skin-cancer-is-personal/ Wed, 04 Jun 2025 15:38:15 +0000 https://www.skincancer.org/?p=9180 Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world. But it affects each individual in unique and personal ways. Hear from survivors, who are sharing their stories.

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]]> “Early Detection Saved My Life” A Young Mother’s Melanoma Journey https://www.skincancer.org/blog/early-detection-saved-my-life-a-young-mothers-melanoma-journey/ Fri, 11 Apr 2025 08:50:54 +0000 https://www.skincancer.org/?p=8677 In 2018, a few months after she became a mother, Leah followed her own mom’s advice and went to the dermatologist for her first professional skin exam. She never imagined that the exam would uncover an aggressive melanoma and ultimately save her life. But that’s exactly what happened.

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]]> Remembering Jimmy Carter: Public Servant, Humanitarian, Stage IV Melanoma Warrior https://www.skincancer.org/blog/remembering-president-james-jimmy-carter-public-servant-humanitarian-stage-iv-melanoma-warrior/ Tue, 07 Jan 2025 14:25:20 +0000 https://www.skincancer.org/?p=8719 On December 29, 2024, Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, passed away at home, under hospice care, at the age of 100. Carter, well-known for his public service and humanitarian work, was the longest-lived president in U.S. history. During the final decade of his life, the former president faced numerous health issues, including a battle with stage IV melanoma.

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]]> Melanoma Almost Killed Me: My Grueling 8-Year Battle https://www.skincancer.org/blog/melanoma-almost-killed-me-my-grueling-8-year-battle/ Fri, 15 Nov 2024 20:26:57 +0000 https://www.skincancer.org/?p=8592 Katie was diagnosed with melanoma at age 26 and fought a grueling 8-year battle with the disease. She shares her story of survival to urge everyone to check their skin regularly and to see a dermatologist if something doesn’t look or feel right. Skin cancer can be deadly, and early detection can save your life.

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]]> Sam Champion’s Skin Cancer Journey: A Wake-Up Call for Regular Skin Exams https://www.skincancer.org/blog/sam-champions-skin-cancer-journey-a-wake-up-call-for-regular-skin-exams/ Mon, 21 Oct 2024 19:53:35 +0000 https://www.skincancer.org/?p=8557 Good Morning America host and weather anchor Sam Champion is no stranger to skin cancer. After his first bout with the disease at age 26, Sam has had multiple skin cancers removed and is familiar with the warning signs of the disease. But even he was surprised by the appearance of his most recent basal cell carcinoma (BCC), so he’s speaking up about the importance of regular skin exams, getting to know your skin and trusting your instincts.

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]]> Melissa’s Battle Against Chronic Skin Cancer: “It Keeps Coming Back.” https://www.skincancer.org/blog/melissas-battle-against-chronic-skin-cancer-it-keeps-coming-back/ Tue, 24 Sep 2024 20:27:23 +0000 https://www.skincancer.org/?p=8511 Since 2010, when she was diagnosed with Stage I melanoma, Melissa Garrett has been fighting a grueling battle against chronic skin cancer, including a second melanoma in 2021, and so many basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) that she has lost track.

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]]> Celebrities and Skin Cancer – They’re Just Like Us https://www.skincancer.org/blog/celebrities-skin-cancer/ https://www.skincancer.org/blog/celebrities-skin-cancer/#respond Tue, 30 Jul 2024 10:57:14 +0000 https://blog.skincancer.org/?p=511 Celebrities like Hugh Jackman, Kevin Jonas and Christie Brinkley have battled nonmelanoma skin cancer, while Khloe Kardashian and Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave have battled melanoma. Others including Bob Marley and Jimmy Buffett have passed away as a result of skin cancer. 

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]]> https://www.skincancer.org/blog/celebrities-skin-cancer/feed/ 0 Acral Melanoma Survivor Warns: Know What to Look For https://www.skincancer.org/blog/acral-melanoma-survivor-warns-know-what-to-look-for/ https://www.skincancer.org/blog/acral-melanoma-survivor-warns-know-what-to-look-for/#respond Mon, 01 Jul 2024 09:41:13 +0000 https://www.skincancer.org/?p=7886 Most people who go to the podiatrist would never expect to get biopsied and diagnosed with a rare, dangerous skin cancer. But that’s exactly what happened to Dorothy Overstreet. Now, she wants to educate people about acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) and how to detect it.  

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]]> https://www.skincancer.org/blog/acral-melanoma-survivor-warns-know-what-to-look-for/feed/ 0 Amy Callaghan On Getting Melanoma At 19 – As Told to Refinery29 https://www.skincancer.org/blog/amy-callaghan-on-getting-melanoma-at-19-as-told-to-refinery29/ Mon, 03 Jun 2024 16:49:59 +0000 https://www.skincancer.org/?p=8263 In 2013, at just 19 years of age, Amy Callaghan, Scottish National Party candidate for Mid Dunbartonshire, was diagnosed with melanoma. Here is her story.

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]]> Hiding in Plain Sight: NYPD Veteran Uncovers Clues for Detecting Skin Cancer  https://www.skincancer.org/blog/hiding-in-plain-sight-nypd-veteran-uncovers-clues-for-detecting-skin-cancer/ https://www.skincancer.org/blog/hiding-in-plain-sight-nypd-veteran-uncovers-clues-for-detecting-skin-cancer/#respond Mon, 27 May 2024 07:25:01 +0000 https://www.skincancer.org/?p=5329 A retired NYPD detective, who spent his career looking for clues, learned a tough lesson about how to identify skin cancer warning signs that were hiding in plain sight.

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