Heather’s personal story

Seven days after having the mole removed by my primary care physician I got the call. It was 7:15 p.m., so I knew it couldn't be good news. My doctor then told me I had melanoma. I was only 27 years old. I was a registered nurse going to school for my bachelor's degree at the time. Even with my medical background, I thought only older people got skin cancer from many years of sun exposure—not a 27-year-old.

I learned a lot about melanoma after my diagnosis. I hadn’t realized I had all the risk factors: fair complexion, blue eyes, multiple moles and freckles, sunburns in the past, growing up in Florida, and an aunt that also had a diagnosis of melanoma. Luckily it was diagnosed early at Stage I. I had surgery and saw my dermatologist every three months after that.

I have two boys, and although they hate me now for making them wear sunscreen, I hope they will appreciate it as they get older.