Cancer stories

Pete’s story

I spent my childhood in the sun. Growing up I was always outside kicking the footy or hanging out at the beach. In the 60s and 70s, using sunscreen was considered optional, and having a sunburnt nose and shoulders was mandatory.

This all changed in my early 20s. I realised through skin cancer ads that my fair skin and blue eyes meant I was more at risk. I also have lots of moles, mostly on my arms and body. So I started covering up, using sunscreen and wearing a hat. And I now see my doctor for regular skin checks.

At one of these appointments, the doctor thought a spot on my arm looked suspicious and removed it. The biopsy was pretty simple and didn’t hurt. I had it done in his office during my lunchbreak.

The mole was sent to the pathologist for testing and within a few days the doctor called to ask me to come back in for further surgery. I did suspect that it might be a melanoma but I was still shocked when this was confirmed.

The doctor said that we’d spotted the melanoma early and that it was likely the biopsy had removed it all, but that it would be good to take a 5 mm margin to be sure. I had some local anaesthetic, he cut it out and then it was closed up with stitches. The tissue was sent to pathology, and I was relieved when the doctor called to say it was fine and no further treatment was needed.

After the wide local excision, the wound looked red and was sore, but this improved within four weeks. I was given a cream to apply to my arm to help the scar heal.

I found the whole experience rattled me a bit. I’m thankful it was found early and the treatment was straightforward.

This information was last reviewed in January 2019. View who reviewed this content.

A/Prof Victoria Atkinson, Senior Staff Specialist, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Visiting Medical Oncologist, Greenslopes Private Hospital, and The University of Queensland Clinical School of Medicine, QLD; Adjunct Prof John Kelly AM, Consultant Dermatologist, Victorian Melanoma Service, and Department of Medicine at Alfred Health, Monash University, VIC; Dr Alex Chamberlain, Dermatologist, Glenferrie Dermatology, Victorian Melanoma Service and Monash Univeristy, VIC; Alison Button-Sloan, Melanoma Patients Australia; Peter Cagney, Consumer; Prof Brendon J Coventry, Associate Professor of Surgery, The University of Adelaide, Surgical Oncologist, Royal Adelaide Hospital, and Research Director, Australian Melanoma Research Foundation, SA; Dr David Gyorki, Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Liz King, Skin Cancer Prevention Manager, Cancer Council NSW; Shannon Jones, SunSmart Health Professionals Coordinator, Cancer Council Victoria; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Prof Richard Scolyer, Senior Staff Specialist, Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Co-Medical Director, Melanoma Institute Australia and Clinical Professor, The University of Sydney, NSW; Heather Walker, Chair, Cancer Council National Skin Cancer Committee, Cancer Council Australia. We also thank the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who have worked on previous editions of this title.

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