Samuel Gee, a 15-year-old wrestler, had an unusual mole on his back that started to change in the months leading up to a tournament. He brushed it off as a minor issue but was diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma after visiting a dermatologist. The cancer had spread locally, causing a swollen lymph node in his leg.
Gee underwent surgery and several rounds of immunotherapy before completing treatment. Thanks to early detection and innovative treatments like checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy, he made a full recovery. Now, Gee is a biomedical engineering student at Texas A&M and advocates for using sunscreen regularly in childhood to prevent melanoma.
According to Dr. Hussein Tawbi, director of personalized cancer therapy, melanoma occurs most often in older white males, but it can also affect younger populations. The No. 1 cause of cancer in women between age 30-40 is melanoma, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and sun protection.
Experts emphasize the ABCDEs of skin cancer to assess if a mole or mark on the skin is a concern. With surgery, patients can achieve 95-99% cure rates for early melanomas. Immunotherapies like checkpoint inhibitors have significantly improved survival rates, increasing from seven months to 72 months.
Gee’s experience has given him new insight into life and encourages young people to prioritize self-care. As a “total sunscreen freak,” he hopes his story inspires others to take sun protection seriously and reduces the stigma surrounding melanoma in younger populations.
Source: https://www.today.com/health/disease/boy-15-melanoma-says-doctors-dismissed-early-symptom-sign-puberty-rcna207285