Like many people,  there have been times of my life where I’ve had a bit of hypochondria.  In my mind, a swollen gland could be lymphoma, a headache could be a brain tumor, arm numbness could be MS, and stomach pain could be appendicitis.  I have a mole on my chest that I’ve had checked by two different doctors.  But since becoming a mom, I’ve been so busy, I’ve mellowed out.  And, I know I’m healthy, and always get physicals, and check-ups.

On Tuesday, I went to my new dermatologist’s office for an acne follow-up (as I’ve mentioned before, I’ve suffered from adult acne since having my son).  As I lay on the table, and the doctor examined my face, she quickly turned her attention to my chest.  She asked if she could examine a dark mole, and then measured it.  “That’s coming out”, she said, and then she left to get my prescriptions.

She returned with the surgeon of the office, and the two of them looked at the mole, while having a discussion.  I heard, “Oh yeah, definitely abnormal”, “Punch or incision?”, “Incision, because if it comes back cancerous, we’d have to go back in”.

Excuse me?  Cancerous?

This isn’t a pity post.  I’m fairly certain it won’t come back cancerous – my doctor doesn’t think it is.  I’m lucky.  Lucky because I happened to be wearing a lower cut shirt.  Lucky my doctor happened to see it.  Lucky I was even there.  I did have a full dermatology check last year with my prior doctor, and I’d even pointed out that mole, but he said it was normal.

Instead, this is a reminder to get yourself checked.  It’s so easy to avoid, or postpone, because we’re all so busy.  But just one simple check can keep you healthy!

Tagged as: health