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106: Steffan Tubbs survived melanoma skin cancer after severe sunburns led to a diagnosis by his dermatologist.
Steffan Tubbs was diagnosed with skin cancer, but he was proactive, and that approach led to early detection and survivorship. On this edition of the @CancerInterviews podcast, he tells host Bruce Morton he enjoyed a decorated career as a broadcaster and now makes documentaries and films. He is here to do so because when he noticed an abnormality on his skin and sought medical attention.
Steffan now lives in Parker, Colorado, but grew up in Southern California. After school and on weekends, it was common practice for him to hit the beach.
He was in his early twenties when he noticed this unusual mole on his chest. That’s when he went to see a dermatologist, a decision he now considers to be lifesaving.
It was within ten days that he was on a table in his college’s medical facility and the doctor told Steffan the mole in question had to be removed. That called for a procedure that had plenty of stitches.
Six months later he went in for another checkup. It was at that appointment that Steffan learned the first excision did not get all of the mole. What was left wasn’t skin cancer, but some pre-malignant cells were identified and they had to be removed, necessitating a second procedure. Upon its completion, the doctor told Steffan had the mole not been removed in full, Steffan likely would have been dead in five years.
In retrospect, Steffan is glad he sought medical attention, but admits he could have and should have acted on this sooner. That’s why he advises everyone to be seen by a dermatologist once a year.
His diagnosis has had a profound effect on his life in more ways than one. The way he goes to the beach is different. The way he goes out into the sun is different. Living in Colorado with its high altitude also affects one’s vulnerability to UV rays. He makes liberal use of sunscreen and because of his history with skin cancer, now he sees the dermatologist once every six months.
Ventures into the sun these days include the wearing of a ballcap, long sleeve shirts and the wearing of sunscreen. Getting a tan is no longer a priority.
Steffan’s children are now young adults. He constantly preaches the importance of developing good habits where protection from the sun is concerned. He also tries to get them to see a dermatologist on a regular basis.
Steffan reiterates the importance of being seen by a dermatologist. He reminds anyone who will listen that being checked out by a dermatologist is not nearly as invasive as a colonoscopy, but just as vital, and can be done in like three minutes. He said as cancers go, skin cancer and melanoma are among the easiest to detect. Steffan said upon diagnosis, that his chance of survival was like 98.5 percent; but that’s because he took the time to be seen by a health care professional. He adds one can help oneself by being their own dermatologist, and periodically check your torso, your back, your legs, between your toes, and if something doesn’t look right to set up an appointment with a dermatologist.
Steffan Tubbs is glad he sought medical attention, as it saved his life, but if there is anything he regrets about his cancer journey, it is that it didn’t have to start as late as it did.
Additional Resources:
CancerInterviews.com
https://www.cancerinterviews.com
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By Jim Foster
5
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Steffan Tubbs was diagnosed with skin cancer, but he was proactive, and that approach led to early detection and survivorship. On this edition of the @CancerInterviews podcast, he tells host Bruce Morton he enjoyed a decorated career as a broadcaster and now makes documentaries and films. He is here to do so because when he noticed an abnormality on his skin and sought medical attention.
Steffan now lives in Parker, Colorado, but grew up in Southern California. After school and on weekends, it was common practice for him to hit the beach.
He was in his early twenties when he noticed this unusual mole on his chest. That’s when he went to see a dermatologist, a decision he now considers to be lifesaving.
It was within ten days that he was on a table in his college’s medical facility and the doctor told Steffan the mole in question had to be removed. That called for a procedure that had plenty of stitches.
Six months later he went in for another checkup. It was at that appointment that Steffan learned the first excision did not get all of the mole. What was left wasn’t skin cancer, but some pre-malignant cells were identified and they had to be removed, necessitating a second procedure. Upon its completion, the doctor told Steffan had the mole not been removed in full, Steffan likely would have been dead in five years.
In retrospect, Steffan is glad he sought medical attention, but admits he could have and should have acted on this sooner. That’s why he advises everyone to be seen by a dermatologist once a year.
His diagnosis has had a profound effect on his life in more ways than one. The way he goes to the beach is different. The way he goes out into the sun is different. Living in Colorado with its high altitude also affects one’s vulnerability to UV rays. He makes liberal use of sunscreen and because of his history with skin cancer, now he sees the dermatologist once every six months.
Ventures into the sun these days include the wearing of a ballcap, long sleeve shirts and the wearing of sunscreen. Getting a tan is no longer a priority.
Steffan’s children are now young adults. He constantly preaches the importance of developing good habits where protection from the sun is concerned. He also tries to get them to see a dermatologist on a regular basis.
Steffan reiterates the importance of being seen by a dermatologist. He reminds anyone who will listen that being checked out by a dermatologist is not nearly as invasive as a colonoscopy, but just as vital, and can be done in like three minutes. He said as cancers go, skin cancer and melanoma are among the easiest to detect. Steffan said upon diagnosis, that his chance of survival was like 98.5 percent; but that’s because he took the time to be seen by a health care professional. He adds one can help oneself by being their own dermatologist, and periodically check your torso, your back, your legs, between your toes, and if something doesn’t look right to set up an appointment with a dermatologist.
Steffan Tubbs is glad he sought medical attention, as it saved his life, but if there is anything he regrets about his cancer journey, it is that it didn’t have to start as late as it did.
Additional Resources:
CancerInterviews.com
https://www.cancerinterviews.com