Re: Skin cancer in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/CFS/Melanoma

March 2, 2006

Hi ,

1) I have fair skin, and also spent tremendous sun-time as a child and young

person.

2) I have not had basal cell carcinomas, tho both of my parents have.

3) I did have Malignant Melanoma on my ankle in 1995...the 10yr mark of my

ME/CFS. By the time it was caught, I needed agressive surgery to clear all

margins.

10 years later, here I am, with no recurrance.

4) When I told Dr. Cheney I'd had Melanoma, he told me it is the No.1 Cancer

among PWCs. That was the only time I'd heard that.

Melanoma does have Immune System connection that (most?) other Cancers do not.

So, my Oncologist and myself wondered about the connection with my 10 years of

CFS.

5) In 1995, there was a Melanoma vaccine in the works. I do not know of it's

status now.

6) As you probably know by now, regular Cancer screenings by a Dermatalogist

MUST be done...for us, at risk...and IMO, for all adults! They are quick,

thorough, and easy, for a trained Dermatologist.

So, I hope others will definitely get them!

7) Melanoma is the fastest growing Cancer (I learned mine was called " Galloping

Melanoma " )

HOWEVER, with early, aggressive intervention, it has the HIGHEST survival

rate...98% or something.

I'm very sorry you are having those surgeries, and hope they will not continue.

But I'm really glad you have caught them so far!

Katrina

In , " Du Pre " <isaiah40@...> wrote:

>

> Hello,

> I had quite a bit of sun exposure growing up in Colorado in high-altitude, so

I may be more susceptible to skin

> cancers. But I have had three basal cell carcinomas that have turned up

during the last six months which required

> plastic surgery. I was wondering if there are others who are experiencing

this at age 50 or over.

> Thanks,

> Du Pre

> " By words the mind is winged. " Aristophanes

>

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