Melanoma & Skin Cancer Awareness Month

We’re honored to share a deeply personal and important story from one of our very own patients today.

In 2012, Melania had a cancerous mole removed from her leg by a previous dermatologist. Until that point, she hadn’t had any regular skin checks — but after the diagnosis, she remained diligent with annual exams. For years, everything seemed fine.

Then, in November 2022, Melania noticed a swollen lymph node in her leg. A biopsy confirmed it was melanoma.

In January 2023, she underwent surgery to remove 25 total lymph nodes, 19 of which were cancerous, and soon began immunotherapy. When the cancer continued to spread, her care team added a second immunotherapy drug — but this triggered severe organ toxicities, as well as permanent thyroid issues, landing her in the hospital for almost a month.

She had to stop treatment and begin a months-long course of steroids to manage the liver damage. That, in turn, led to new complications: muscle damage, weight gain, and more.

With limited treatment options remaining, she had to wait until the cancer progressed enough to qualify for a newly FDA-approved therapy called TIL (Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte) treatment — a process where cancer-fighting T-cells are extracted from her tumors, multiplied in a lab, and then reintroduced after chemotherapy wipes out her existing immune cells.

This month, she officially began that journey.

The cancer has also spread into nearby tissue, and Melania now comes to us every 3 months for thorough skin checks with Dr. Al-Basha and our team, monitoring for any new growths.

Melania’s journey is a powerful, painful, and courageous reminder:

• Wear your sunscreen.

• Get your skin checked.

• Take sun exposure seriously.

We thank Melania for bravely allowing us to share her story — in the hope it might protect even one life.

• 95% of all skin cancers are caused by UV exposure.
• 1 in 5 people will be diagnosed with skin cancer.
• Melanoma rates are rising — both nationally and right here in our clinic.

No matter your skin tone, your tendency to burn, or how “harmless” the weather seems — none of us are immune. One blistering sunburn can change your life forever. A temporary tan is never worth a lifetime of consequences.

Please take us seriously when we urge you:

Schedule your annual skin checks. Wear SPF daily. Protect your skin — protect your life.

Call us at (815) 229-9333 ext. 1 to schedule your full body skin check today with one of our 5 exceptional dermatology providers.