Texas survivor talks about her approach to skin health

When Maren Davis, 22, was 3 years old, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Because she was so young, she has few memories of that time in her life.

She had surgery and 6 weeks of radiation to her head and neck area. That was followed by chemotherapy with stem cell rescue. Stem cell rescue replaces blood stem cells destroyed by chemotherapy. Davis stayed cancer-free until she was 6.

Unlike her first experience with cancer, Davis clearly remembers finding out she had skin cancer in 2007. A mole on her left cheek had lightened in color so that it had a translucent appearance. Davis’ mom took her to the doctor. A mole that changes in appearance can be a symptom of skin cancer. The mole was also in an area where she had received radiation for her previous cancer.

A doctor removed the mole and sent it for testing. When it was looked at under a microscope, it showed signs of cancer. The mole turned out to be melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer.

“I had never heard of melanoma,” Davis says. “I was kind of nervous about how the doctors would treat it.”

Davis had another surgery to remove tissue around where the mole had been. This was done to get rid of any other cancer cells that might remain. The surgeon also removed lymph nodes from her neck to see if the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. Luckily, it had not. When skin cancers spread to other parts of the body, other treatment in addition to surgery, such as chemotherapy or medication called immunotherapy, is needed.

Then in 2008 and 2009, reddish moles appeared on Davis’ neck. They were removed both times and sent for biopsy. In both cases, they were basal cell carcinoma, which is a less aggressive skin cancer than melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer in childhood cancer survivors.

Although rare, radiation treatment can raise the risk of skin cancer. It usually happens in the areas that receive radiation. For childhood cancer survivors treated with radiation, skin cancer is the most common second cancer. Second cancers are a possible late effect of cancer treatment. Late effects are treatment-related conditions that appear months or years after cancer treatment has finished.

To protect your health, Davis advises fellow survivors to pay close attention to any changes in their skin. Cancer found in its early stages is more treatable. Check your skin for moles that have changed in size, shape, or feel. Look for any spots that are unusual such as new lumps, sores, red or brown spots, or rough patches.

“Cancer can be scary, but don’t be afraid to take care of your health,” Davis says.

To prevent skin cancer. Davis wears a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen when she is outside. She takes care to make sure the bald spot caused by radiation is covered.

“Always protect yourself when you’re out in the sun and don’t get a sunburn,” Davis says. “It’s a lot better than getting skin cancer.”

Davis, a student at Lone Star College in Texas, has been cancer-free since 2009.