Above: a #nomakeupselfie at MoleMap in my fetching hospital gown after my regular checkup. Unfortunately they found some to be removed for testing so I have surgery next week, so I urge you- go get checked! The earlier you know, the better. Yesterday was International Cancer Survivor day and as a melanoma survivor I encourage everyone to have regular skin checks.
So, what’s it like going for a MoleMap?
I headed in to have a MoleMap done in Akoranga on Auckland’s North Shore as part of my ongoing check ups. Regular checks every year or two mean there’s a photographic record of any changes over time in my skin. This is important as it’s easier to see changes than a one-off skin check with no baseline comparison image to compare your current skin to.
I had a check up with photos for about 1 1/2 hours and then got changed and got alcohol wipes to remove all the felt tip pen marks from my body that the nurse uses to mark which moles they have done. You get a female nurse and it’s all warm and professional. Then your images are sent off to a Dermatologist to examine and you are contacted for any follow up such as moles of concern to be excised by any surgeon at your own cost – hopefully you have medical insurance as it’s about $600 to remove one – and for any moles they want to take a look at in six months time, which is covered in today’s MoleMap cost.
I encourage you to get checked – after all, prevention is better than cure.
UPDATE 1!
Say goodbye to this ear freckle as it just got cut out at the suggestion of Molemap as it looks like melanoma.
I asked the surgeon to do a nice job, so I can still wear a ponytail, and he laughed.
A reminder to get your skin checks! The earlier they find it, the better.
UPDATE 2!
21st June 2021: At my favourite tree in Devonport to announce the good news that my ear suspected-melanoma excision – you can just see the bandage on my ear here – is benign and NOT SKIN CANCER!
It was caught as having changed since my last Molemap in their photos so I had it off last Tuesday and the results came back today as a benign nevi. I can’t tell you how relieved I am! I am a melanoma survivor from a grade four over fifteen years ago.
By Megan Robinson
7 June 2021
Disclosure: AD /gifted by MoleMap to encourage you to have regular skin checks.