My Trip To The Dermatologist As A Pathologist Ironman Athlete

Hi folks,

The author having his six-monthly dermatology checkup by Dr. Robin Thompson. I've got to get rid of that belly fat before the next race!

I’ve seen cancer in many guises during my scientific career of over 40 years, including material from domestic animals and research studies, and clinically as it took loved ones from my life. I know this beast pretty well, so when I go for a health screen I wonder – is it my turn? My recent visit to my dermatologist, Dr. Robin Thompson of Chapel Hill Dermatology, was no exception. I was aware from direct observation that I had several new lumps and bumps, all looking like solar or seborrheic keratosis. But there was a new one, right on my forehead. Robin took a biopsy of this small but potentially lethal lump for pathology (my discipline). I’ll know in a week what the pathologist concludes. The first time a biopsy was taken in Robin’s office I requested a spare section for my own interest. I wrote about that ‘spiritual experience’ in a previous post on über-consciousness.

You can save yourself from dying of skin cancer by simply having regular checkups by someone who knows what they are doing. As an older Ironman athlete who exercises for better health, I spend many hours out in the sun, so this is particularly important in my case. You are not exempted from this risk, whether you are well tanned or almost white like me. Skin pigmentation and hair provide considerable protection from the cancer-inducing effects of sunlight, but they are not a complete defense.

-k Your Medical Mind