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Kassidy Pierson heard about the development of melanoma in her body six years ago. She was then 21 years old. She knew the cancer had spread. A year later it turned out that cancer cells are almost everywhere, including in the brain. “There are no therapies available for me,” she admits. She knows she has very little life left. To warn others, she shared her story and showed a photo of the mole that turned out to be melanoma. The woman urges us not to delay the visit to the doctor, as she did. “It could save your life,” he admits.
- 27-year-old Kassidy Pierson ignored a cancerous mole and is now terminally ill, urging others to test her skin
- A year later it turned out that the neoplastic changes spread throughout the body, today the woman is under the care of a hospice
- Pierson delayed seeing a dermatologist for three years. The woman calls for her story to be a warning to others
- Melanoma is one of several malignant skin cancers, but also one of the most aggressive
- At the same time, it is one of the easiest cancers to diagnose – it develops on the surface of the skin, most often on exposed parts of the body
- Early diagnosis of melanoma can be done independently using the ABCDE criteria for melanoma. What this principle is about, we explain in the article
- More important information can be found on the TvoiLokony home page
She waited three years to visit a doctor. They diagnosed third stage melanoma
Today Kassidy Pierson is 27 years old, she has been living for six years knowing that she has melanoma, the most malignant cancer of the skin and mucous membranes. Unfortunately, in her case it is already the fourth, and therefore the last and most advanced, stage of cancer. Unfortunately, melanoma has spread all over my body, it has entered my brain with at least seven new tumors. This means that no treatment is working anymore. There are no therapies available for me – we read on buzzfeed.com. Currently, Kassidy Pierson is under the care of a hospice. He knows he is dying.
She noticed disturbing changes on her skin when she was only 18 years old. The mole on the inside of her thigh began to change shape, size and color. The lesion was very dry, itchy, and sometimes bleeding. The woman was unaware that all these symptoms were the main symptoms of melanoma. She also had no health insurance, and she was expecting a baby, and skin examination did not seem to be a priority at the time. She waited for three years. When she finally went to the dermatologist, it turned out to be melanoma. And it was in the third stage, which meant that the changes had already appeared in the lymph nodes.
The melanoma has spread throughout the body. “I hope my story will help others”
A year later, a study showed that the cancer had reached its fourth – most advanced – stage of development. This meant that it had spread throughout the body, causing metastases, including in the lungs and brain. Kassidy had a part of her lung removed, she underwent, among others, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, personalized therapies, multiple surgeries … After more than six years of fighting melanoma, all available options have exhausted, only hospice care remains. – I make full use of every day given to me, I don’t know how much time I have left. It may take days, weeks, months, even years! It just depends on the cancer and how quickly it spreads throughout my body – he admits. “I feel good now, so spending so much time with those I love is what fills my days.
Kassidy Pierson also wants her story to be a warning to others, she wants to tell people about the silent dangers of melanoma, a cancer that can go undetected for years. – I hope that my experience will help other people and save them from the mistake of procrastinating with a dermatologist and skin examination. The sooner you get checked, the better. It could save your life – she said.
Sharing her story, Kassidy Pierson published a video – she showed a mole on it, which after research turned out to be a cancerous lesion.
How to recognize melanoma. The “ABCDE” principle can save your life
Melanoma is one of several dozen malignant skin neoplasms, but also one of the most aggressive and characterized by early and numerous metastases. Changes may appear not only on the skin, but also on the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, nails and eyeball.
On the other hand, melanoma is one of the easiest cancers to diagnose – it develops on the surface of the skin, most often on exposed parts of the body. Detecting it when the disease is not yet advanced, and the doctors’ actions are limited to cutting out the birthmark, allows to cure almost 100% of the disease. sick »- recalls« Czerniak Academy ».
Hence, regular and careful observation of your own skin is so important – this is the key to early detection of potentially dangerous changes. Any birthmark, growth, or mole that is disturbing or changes over time should be checked as soon as possible. It is recommended that the lesion be examined by a dermatologist or surgeon-oncologist as soon as possible and, in case of any doubts, its removal. You can buy a test package that includes dermatoscopy and consultation with a dermatologist at Medonet Market.
Early diagnosis of melanoma can be made independently, thanks to the ABCDE principle of melanoma:
A – asymmetry, eg a mark “pouring out” on one side;
B – edges that are irregular, uneven, jagged, with thickenings;
C – red or black and non-uniform color;
D – large size, lesion size greater than 0,5 cm;
E – evolution, that is, progressive changes taking place in the birthmark.
We also present them in the video below.
How to protect yourself from melanoma. The most important rules
Every person, especially those at high risk, should follow simple rules of protection against ultraviolet radiation. Here are the most important:
- Avoid exposure to very intense sun, especially between 11:00 and 16:00.
- Use creams with high UVA and UVB filters for the whole body. Order Indeed Defense 30 – a protective moisturizing face cream today.
- Wear sunglasses and a hat
- Do not sunbathe in the solarium
- Regularly, once a month, check your skin to quickly spot new and suspicious changes
- Consult a dermatologist or surgeon-oncologist if you suspect that something is wrong with the birthmark
- Make an appointment with a dermatologist or surgeon-oncologist at least once a year (the skin should be checked especially after the holidays)
You will learn about the risk of developing melanoma by performing mail-order genetic tests. The offered test allows to detect the A148T mutation in the CDKN2A gene, which is responsible for the development of the tumor. You can buy the survey quickly and safely on Medonet Market.
You may be interested in:
- Everything you need to know about subungual melanoma
- «Personal» melanoma vaccine. It can stop cancer from growing for years
- Dermatoscopy – what is it and when is it performed?