Dear 16-Year-Old Me | Skin Cancer Awareness

An excellent reminder! I just had my skin checked at the dermatologist last week. It feels great to know that I've done something important for my health.

My cousin died of melanoma at the age of 36. His started in the area of a birth mark on his back that he was born with. According to his doctors this is not that uncommon. Having your skin checked for skin cancer has to be the easiest and most painless test there is. Everyone should always be aware of any changes in their bodies. Only you know your own body.

I shared this on my Facebook page. My sister-in-law had melanoma removed from her leg--and then had a pool installed in her backyard! It is scary stuff. I hope you are all clear from now on!

Ali - I also had melanomas when I was pregnant with my son, now 5. I never knew that melanomas can caue cancer in unborn babies. I now see a skin cancer doctor every 6 months. Thanks for the post - I added it to my Facebook page.

[...] saw this on Ali Edwards blog, struck me. Such an important message in such a simple [...]

Love that you are sharing something so important. I am going in next week to have 9 mole removed. I had 3 mole removed last year that turned out to be basal cell carcinoma. So doing self examination and going for check ups with your dermatologist on a regular basis is key.
I have dark hair and I am not very pale (so not the typical candidate). I had not heard that if you had more tham 50 moles you where at risk. In my case I have that on one arm! So checking for moles takes about 30-40 min (I take pictures) as I probably have over 250 moles on my body. Thanks for posting the link for the T-shirts, will go buy some as they are not easy to find ;-)

I watched this yesterday. It made me cry! The messages shared are so important and so very real.

Recently had a sunspot removed from my leg. Skin specialist a year ago said it was nothing. A gut feeling told me he wasn't right. Saw a different skin specialist - he froze it off straight away. If unsure, get a second opinion.

Wow! What a powerful video. I sent the link to my entire address book. Thanks.

Oh Ali. Thank you so much for this. I am passing it on right now (ok, right after I stop cryng.)

Thanks for sharing this Ali! I reposted it...great reminder / conversation starter for the summer (year round, but we know more people are outside and exposed in the summer). I'm going to make sure we have an appt with the dermatologist for a check-up too! Thanks for the friendly "kick in the pants" we needed!

Hi Ali! Thanks for sharing this awesome video!! I reposted it as well! I've had many moles removed as well and now watch my boys with even more diligence. My oldest recently had one removed (at my request). It came back "suspicious"...so good to be pro-active!

Thanks, Ali. The photo of Julie with her three kids made me choke back tears after reading her story and pushed me to make an appointment for a screening. Thank you. :)

Ali, thank you so much! I have posted this video to my Facebok wall. I will keep you in my prayers. On 3/25/11 I lost my beloved 47 yr old Stepmom to Melanoma. It is a vicious disease that takes good people way too early.

I have had two basal cell carcinoma's removed in the last 6 years (I was 40 when they found the first one). One was on my back and the other was on my chest. I too go every 6 months and will for the rest of my life. I'm not sure if someone else mentioned this, but my started off as what I thought was a pimple. It didn't heal and would bleed and was painful if you scratched the surrounding skin. Sunscreen, limit exposure & try to prevent major sunburns. Oh, and of course, stay out of tanning beds!!

I just had my teenage daughter watch this video. It had a definite impact on her. It will be something for her to remember when her friends tease her about being so pale and untanned.

Thank you

I watched this yesterday and then an hour ago one of team members wandered into my office. While chatting he was scratching his neck and then asked if I had an experience with moles as this one on his neck had become inflammed and was annoying him. He now has an appointment to see a doctor tomorrow afternoon. We live in a mining town where most of the people fly in, work eight days and then fly home for six days. Being a young, single male I wouldn't take the chance he might not go to the doctor when he gets home so made the appointment with my GP here in town. I am not 100% sure I would have been so insistent if I hadn't seen the video yesterday. Hopefully he will be fine but I thank you for the reminder to be ever vigilant for ourselves and those we care about.

Thank you for posting this video. I watched it, went to the link and have been contemplating my risks and reducing risks for my fair skinned light-eyed children! I've been avoiding the sun for decades with my motto being "I work hard to be this pasty white."

Thanks as well for posting the products that you are using on yourself & your children.

So glad you mentioned the eye exam. I didn't even KNOW you could get melanoma of the retina in the eye until my father did. Unfortunately, he was the type to "ignore" symptoms and only dealt with it (loss of vision) after the cancer had spread. It ultimately killed him.

I will be making an appointment this MORNING for a full body check. Thanks for the reminder.

Thanks for posting this. Melanoma took my mother's life at age 66.It is a horrible disease and much more awareness is needed.

Ali....thanks for continually spreading the word on melanoma. We have a mutual acquaintance - Carrie ;) I am Julie's sister. I appreciate you sharing her story and I appreciate everyone reading it and taking it seriously; it is such a serious disease that CAN be detected early and treated. Keep up the awesome work.

I've known I needed to get to a dermatologist for a while (blonde, green eyes, lots of freckles/moles), but kept putting it off. Thanks to you and this video, I have an appointment for July 7. Thanks for giving me the kick in the pants that I needed. ;)

I had missed this on Becky's site so thankful for the repost here & links to great information.

Because of this post, I had a suspicious "mole" checked. While it wasn't melanoma, it was basal cell carcinoma. I've been telling everyone I know to get themselves checked. It's quick and easy. Thanks for the motivation to get it looked at!

Wow, the comments made here are almost as powerful as the video. I had seen it about 3 months ago and sent it to my entire address book. I have had a number of basal cell carcinomas removed and recently a melanoma from my upper arm. It looked exactly like a dot from s Sharpie marking pen--my dematologist noticed it. I see her every 3 months and am a big proponent of skin care now and tell everyone who asks about my scar. I also wear special clothing that Columbia makes, including a wide brimmed hat. One of my best friends lost an eye to melanoma. I had not thought about having more frequent eye exams but will make an appointment for one today.