What it Feels Like to be a Skin Cancer Survivor
Skin cancer is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide, and its impact goes far beyond physical health. The emotional and psychological impact on patients and their loved ones cannot be understated.
When you receive a cancer diagnosis, your emotions can be overwhelming. You may feel isolated and alone. You may be scared and unsure of the future. You may be angry that your life has changed. And it is easy to believe that no one else understands all that you are going through. But reading about another’s journey from diagnosis to remission can provide positive reassurance, inspiration, and hope. Stories from other skin cancer survivors can serve as a reminder that even in the darkest times, light is ahead.
Reading through survivor stories can foster connection and inspire hope because you “meet” people who have gone through similar treatments, emotions, and stresses. These stories create a sense of community and support that can help you as you navigate your journey through this disease. Additionally, these stories can help you feel a part of a growing advocacy movement—one that is raising public consciousness about the importance of prevention, early detection, and research.
Read below for stories from people around the U.S. and the world who have been diagnosed with—and survived—skin cancer.
And, if you’re willing, share your own story.
Share Your Story Here
May. 15, 2024
Brittanny Groover: Melanoma Survivor
Growing up in a small town in Pennsylvania that borders West Virginia, those sunny summers were filled with cheerleading practices and 80-degree days on the local football field. When cheerleading season ended, my friends and I would escape to Ocean City, Maryland, for summer vacations. Back home, I always had a backyard pool. Tanning was a favorite pastime for my
Jun. 15, 2023
Rob’s Story: Squamous Cell Skin Cancer
“Like a lot of people, I woke up New Year’s Day 2012 with a horrible headache, the difference was, I wasn’t feeling good on New Year’s Eve, wasn’t drinking alcohol and went to bed early.” Rob Purdie’s Valley Fever journey started with a headache and ended with a lifelong need for specialized medical care to control his Valley Fever. Born
Apr. 05, 2023
Alvin’s Story: Squamous Cell Skin Cancer
Alvin Green;Date of Diagnosis: 02/19/2020;El Cajon, CA;Squamous Cell Skin Cancer, High Risk, Locally Advanced; In early 2020, my dermatologist diagnosed me with squamous cell skin cancer on my right cheek. (Later, this included my right temple.) I had been diagnosed many times with squamous cell skin cancer, and I thought this was just another skin cancer. I was wrong. This
Feb. 16, 2022
David’s Story: Basal Cell Carcinoma
David Corso;Date of Diagnosis: 1993;Age at Diagnosis: 44;Colorado Springs, CO;Basal Cell Carcinoma; As a second-generation Italian American, I feared not skin cancer. Never even thought about it. I never suffered from sunburn. I worked and played outside (especially sports such as baseball, soccer, and golf), went to the beach, and lounged by the pool. I never suspected that I would
Nov. 24, 2021
Jacki’s Story: Basal Cell Carcinomas and Squamous Cell Skin Cancer
Jacki Jones; Date of Diagnosis: 02/10/1997; Age: 47; San Diego, CA; Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Skin Cancer; I had noticed a tiny pearly dot at the end of my nose for a year or so but I had no idea it could be skin cancer! Then a doctor’s visit for something else led to a suggestion that I needed
Oct. 21, 2021
Wayne’s Story: Squamous Cell Skin Cancer
Wayne Dyke; Date of Diagnosis: 2010; Age: 71; Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada; Squamous Cell Skin Cancer, High Risk; Once we have survived cancer, we often find ourselves wondering how we can give back to the community that supported us. By sharing our nonmelanoma skin cancer survivor stories, we can bring comfort, support, and inspiration to those who have been
Feb. 14, 2002
Scott’s Story: Basal Cell Carcinoma
Scott Tushla; Date of Diagnosis: 05/08/2019; Age: 54; Colorado Springs, CO; Basal Cell Carcinoma; I was diagnosed after I noted an area on my nose that was concerning. I am a family doctor, so I see a fair number of patients with skin cancer. I had no symptoms. I saw the dermatologist whom I refer to in my network, who