Ila Smith, a nurse practitioner initially thought it to be a birthmark
The irregular square with different hues did not strike Ila Smith that it could be cancer, TODAY reported. She loved tanning and did not use sunscreen. “That was my thing. I just loved being out in the sun and getting that vitamin D and that relaxation with my headphones,” she told the media.
“You need to watch that"
It was when she went to a dermatologist, whose assistant she was friends with, she was warned about the dark spot on her hips. 10 years later, she remembered the warning when she accidentally scratched the dark mark and it broke off and started bleeding.
The bleeding spot started itching
Months later the spot, which she had accidentally torn off from her skin and had bled, started itching. Following this she made an appointment with a dermatologist who did a biopsy of the spot. She was diagnosed with malignant melanoma.
The treatment
Smith's cancer was detected at an early stage as a result of which she was not administered for chemotherapy. She underwent surgery to remove the cancerous growth. 3 inches of skin around the dark spot and 1.5 inches deep was removed. As per the report, Smith wears sunscreen and sun protective clothing whenever she is out in the Sun and gets her skin checked four times a year.
People of all skin colors can get skin cancer
Until then Smith was not concerned about getting skin cancer because she was Black and the rate of incidence of skin cancer in black people is less than it is in white people. As per the American Cancer Society the risk of getting skin cancer is 20 times higher in white people than it is in dark people. However, health experts warn people of all skin colors about the disease. As per the American Academy of Dermatology Association, "People of all colors, including those with brown and black skin, get skin cancer. Even if you never sunburn, you can get skin cancer."
"When skin cancer develops in people of color, it’s often in a late stage when diagnosed. This can be deadly when the person has melanoma, a type of skin cancer that can spread quickly. Treatment for any type of skin cancer can be difficult in the late stages," it warns.
What are the warning signs you need to watch out for?
It is important to self examine your skin regularly.
Check for dark spots, which are growing in size, bleed or change their appearance.
Check for sores and wounds that do not heal quickly.
Do not ignore the patch of skin that feels rough and dry.
Check for dark skin or darker lines under nails.
Regularly check the membranes lining your mouth, nose, and private parts.
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