IN THE space of two weeks, in almost identical circumstances, two patients went to the same doctor for the same routine skin examination. They came out with the same diagnosis, and the events that followed saved both their lives.
Separately Peter Parker, 45, and Brian Scarce, 48, each decided to have a skin examination at Gladstone Medical Centre. Mr Scarce was diagnosed with a large melanoma behind his knee and an invasive basal cell carcinoma on his shoulder. After his initial shock he underwent surgery to remove the two growths, which were both found to be malignant.
Mr Parker went to the centre a week later for a routine skin examination. He was diagnosed with a melanoma on his neck and a BCC on his shoulder, each requiring surgery. Fortunately for the “lucky” pair, both melanomas are level I and level II and are early, so the prognosis is excellent for long-term survival, according to Dr Stephen Rigby.
Want to read the full article?
Subscribe today to get full access!
Subscribe Now
Subscribe to support local journalism get unlimited access to all Gladstone News content!Already subscribed?
Login to your account via the main menu.