I was first diagnosed with melanoma when I was 19 years old. I found a new black mole on my leg that was as small as the tip of a pencil but with jagged edges. I immediately called my doctor and was able to catch the cancer at Stage I. More than five surgeries later, the melanoma was gone.
But seven years later, it was back. This time the melanoma showed up as a larger black mole, which grew to the size of a quarter over a weekend. I called my doctor immediately and had two more surgeries to remove the melanoma.
Telling my father that his only child had melanoma was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. He worried that he would never walk his daughter down the aisle, but this summer he finally had the chance! After nearly 10 surgeries in total, I have been cancer-free now for 5 years.
Since my diagnoses, I have been vigilant about checking for skin changes and wearing sunscreen when I’m outdoors. I’ve also been inspired to spread the word about skin cancer prevention and the power of early detection by telling my story. If you find a suspicious mole, call your doctor right away!
—Julie Dunlap, WY
