NONMELANOMA SURVIVOR STORIES
Receiving a nonmelanoma skin cancer diagnosis can be scary, but reading about how others have shared similar experiences may comfort you. Survivor stories can inspire, offer hope, and remind newly diagnosed patients that though their journeys may be different, someone has walked in their shoes.
These are the personal stories of survivors of nonmelanoma skin cancer and their caregivers. We hope their words hearten your spirit during this time.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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