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ST. GEORGE — Think skin cancer is something you only read about online or see on TV? You may be surprised by how many people it's affecting in southern Utah alone.
May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and residents who've experienced the scare of melanoma say they want to share their stories in hopes of saving lives.
Ivins resident and leukemia survivor Vera Dooley said she had no idea her childhood years of playing in the sun without sunscreen would lead to another cancer nightmare. In January 2021, she found a mark on her arm and scheduled an exam.
During the exam, the doctor found a small pink bump on her leg. After a biopsy, the bump was diagnosed as a malignant melanoma. At her next visit, she said the doctor immediately knew the margins were outside the normal range and said she would need surgery.
