My Skin Cancer Journey: A Cautionary Tale - Terri Cole

I don’t think I’ve ever shared this story publicly, but skin cancer awareness is a topic that is near and dear to my heart (and my nose!). If my journey can inspire even a handful of you to start a new routine of daily sun protection, sharing it will have been worthwhile.

If you're someone who knows you should be using SPF when you go out in the sun, but you still don't do it consistently, this episode is for you, my friend, because I don’t want you to experience what I experienced.

I’m sharing my very personal story as well as resources and ways you can become more educated to take the very best preventative care of the skin you’re in!

(Disclaimer: I am not a dermatologist or an MD, so this information is not medical advice. I am sharing my story with you from a patient experience. Always consult your doctor.)

Time stamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:56 - The beginning of my skin cancer journey, and why it took so long to get treated
3:50 - Getting the diagnosis and scheduling a Mohs procedure
5:48 - The long road to healing from skin cancer and why I had to visit a plastic surgeon
7:20 - My little disclaimer -- I'm not a doctor, but I want to share skin safety tips with you
8:30 - Other kinds of skin cancer that can be more dangerous
9:00 - The importance of self-examinations and knowing your body
11:31 - Why SPF is so crucial, especially on your hands
13:09 - The A, B, C, D, E Rule of checking for skin cancer
14:41 - Easy ways to keep your skin safe and healthy
17:32 - Conclusion

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Terri Cole is a licensed psychotherapist, global relationship and empowerment expert, and the author of Boundary Boss-The Essential Guide to Talk True, Be Seen and (Finally) Live Free.

For over two decades, Terri has worked with a diverse group of clients that includes everyone from stay-at-home moms to celebrities and Fortune 500 CEOs.

#terricoleshow #skincancer

[happyseasons]

Thanks for the kick in the butt Terri! I just made a dermatologist appt that is 2 years overdue. Your video was the tipping point to get it done ❤️

[AnnieDash]

Thank you so much for this message, Terri. My dad and grandfather both had skin cancer and I absolutely believe in prevention as much as possible and have done my best to protect my skin for decades. I wear a wide brimmed SPF hat, protective clothing, and SPF -- and make sure my children do as well. I appreciate you sharing your story and spreading this important message. ❤️

[loritikka]

Thank you for sharing this. It is a great reminder for me who lives in Arizona with much sun and I very often forget about sunscreen. ❤️🤗

[bostonmarathoner]

I had melanoma. I noticed a small mole starting to change. Dermatologist said to watch it for a few months. I said take it off. It was melanoma insitu. He was surprised. We caught it in time before it was deadly. Always follow your gut! Don't use chemical sunscreen though. Use mineral sunscreens. Much safer!

[lizvtaz]

Terri, thank you for making this video. One can literally feel how hard and overwhelming it is for you to speak on the topic. But you decided to share your story anyway to warn others. I personally think that you are very brave. Thank you for the information and for caring enough to go through with this video. Please take care of yourself.

[alinakozlova]

Thank you for reminding about this problem! It's so easy to forget how dangerous the sunshine is. I've got numerous new moles and many freckles on my body after getting a tropical tan, only once and my skin reacted strangely. One of them I have already removed because it started to grow and changed its edges. I was surprised and very upset because I used to love sunshine and I have got warm but fair complexion so surprisingly it turned that my skin is absolutely intolerable to tropical sunshine, of course I applied a suncream, but the sun found unprotected small parts on my sides. So it is true, and it doesn't depend on your age, you can catch the skin cancer even in your twenties and warm undertone doesn't mean that you can take a sunbathe without fear of cancer.

[stefonthemove]

I really appreciate your video. I have a spot above my eyebrow that is very odd and I have an appointment this Friday to have it checked out.

[mimispelling]

hey i am Mimi from Denmark...looking forward to hera more from you 💗

[brightphoebeuploads]

I have been using, this summer, the spf 30 day moisturizer by Cerave on my face. I like it better than the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer spf 45 I also have, on my face, because I've been sweating a lot working outside, and when the sweat inevitably runs into my eyes, the former doesn't sting, whereas the latter does. But I use the Neutrogena on the rest of my exposed skin. I need to remember to reapply it every 2 hrs though. I haven't been doing that...

[brightphoebeuploads]

As a Canadian, it's so scary to think things could happen to you and they wouldn't help if you couldn't pay. Like, how much is health insurance... What if you can't afford that? BC Medical wouldn't pay for a plastic surgeon though. You'd get what you get. In fact I had cysts removed from my head and the surgeon didn't stitch one up properly and it opened up after the stitches were removed. I now have a little bald spot on my scalp about 1cm marquis shape because of that. No big deal but I'd rather not, and it was wet and gross while it healed. Thankfully the others all stayed closed, about 4 of them. And my son, split his chin open during skating lessons. They made us wait and wait for a doctor, hours, me holding his skin together in the meantime. There were other emergencies that needed the doctor. The doctor did a shoddy job, and adult son has a bumpy scar. I could have sewn it better! And sooner!

I have had guttate psoriasis, which is red spots of rapidly cycled skin cells. It's an immune disorder, flares up when I'm stressed. They come and go. It might be that I think a spot is psoriasis when it's cancer... Something to think about. I had moles removed from my back as a child as a preventative measure. I should check my back again. ANd the sunglasses. I've had eye surgery before, and I'd like to get a pair of wrap around full spectrum shades. I've been looking for a pair. I'll keep looking because of what you've said. Now I know what the sticker on them should say.