By Fred L. Jones, Jr.
Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma begins in the basal cells, a type of cell within the skin that produces new skin cells as old ones die off. Basal cell carcinoma often appears as a slightly transparent bump on the skin, though it can take other forms. Basal cell carcinoma occurs most often on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, such as your head and neck.
Shelley Baker endured seventeen years of skin checks and concern over growing lesions before she was finally diagnosed with an advanced form of basal cell carcinoma.
The lesions – emerging on her shoulders, back and face – were dismissed by Shelley’s doctor every year during her annual health exams. As a result, her skin worsened and she became increasingly embarrassed. She even stopped singing in the church chorus, and started to part her hair differently or wear makeup to cover the lesions.
Finally, Shelley visited a dermatologist, where her worries were confirmed. She had been misdiagnosed and the basal cell carcinoma had advanced so much that it could no longer be removed with surgery or be treated with radiation. Fortunately, her dermatologist was able to prescribe an oral treatment, which Shelly credits with shrinking the lesions and helping her regain her confidence.
Today, Shelly Baker is doing wonderfully well after overcoming basal cell carcinoma. I asked her to be open with us about her journey and this is what she stated: “What were your first thoughts when the condition began to get worse? My first thoughts when the condition began to get worse, was that I was facing something really serious, and I knew it had to be more than Eczema/Psoriasis…like I was told years earlier. I was scared.
What was the most inspirational moment that happened as you began to recover? “It was the first morning I noticed my face healing and I was able to apply my makeup without the burning pain from the makeup covering the tumors. As a woman our appearance means a lot to us, so realizing I didn’t have to live in pain like I had been…was a great moment for me!
There are millions of Skin Cancer patients worldwide what can you say to inspire them to fight back? “I would say ‘fight with all you have because you deserve to have great quality of life. Find a great dermatologist who you trust, and be vigilant to keep your appointments, life is short, but you can still enjoy gardening, swimming, and all outdoor activities, life doesn’t stop because we got cancer, learn to never stop living!
