My Dad died from Melanoma in '94.

His company switched health insurance in 1984, and he and my Mom both had to get physicals right away. The Dr. didn't like the looks of a mole on his side, a few inches above the belt line. He removed it and had it biopsied.

The results from the pathology lab came back negative, but the Dr. was still suspicious so he sent it to another lab, which declared it Level 4 Melanoma (level 5 being terminal).

He underwent surgery to remove a softball-sized chunk of cancerous tissue from his abdomen, and several surrounding lymph nodes - including down into his groin. Fortunately, they came back all negative.

For the following 9 years, he had regular Galium scans, (injection of radioactive Galium followed by a CT scan) about every 6 months. No 'hot' spots were ever found. In Oct 1993, he went in for his regular scan, and there were hot spots all over his body. Further testing showed Cancer in his lymphatic system, lungs, stomach, liver, gall bladder and spleen. There was really nothing that could be done at that point. A year later, he passed away.

Any moles you have that are suspicious, get them removed and tested immediately. Suspicious moles are: new ones, existing ones that have changed size or color, or any that are painful.

I say this not to scare you, but because I don't want anyone to not take this seriously. It is a slow, painful, dreadful way to die, that I wouldn't want anyone to have to deal with.

I'm thankful to have gotten another 10 years to spend with my Dad, but I still miss him dearly, and I don't think my Mom has fully recovered from the loss.

Peace