Technology is a game changer in healthcare, and Covenant Health’s Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center is experiencing new wins. Premier Surgical Oncologist David Roife, MD, has performed the hospital’s first robotic- assisted pancreatectomy.  The patient was Margie Bowman of Whitesburg, Tennessee. She underwent the surgical procedure to remove part of her  pancreas after it was damaged by a pre-cancerous cyst.

Margie is the first patient to undergo a robotic-assisted pancreas surgery at Fort Sanders Regional in Knoxville. It was preformed by Premier Surgical Oncologist Dr. David Roife.

Today, Bowman is celebrating that big win. But her story begins with another kind of game.

The Answer: “What is Jeopardy?”

Alex Trebek, longtime host of Jeopardy, the popular TV game show, publicly shared his battle with pancreatic cancer in 2021. A few months after his death, his widow and daughter took part in a high-profile California fundraiser for pancreatic cancer research, bringing Trebek’s story back into the news.

Some 2,000 miles away in Tennessee, Bowman picked up a magazine that covered the fundraiser. She read with interest the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, one of which is pain in the abdomen.

Having wrestled with her own unexplained pain, Bowman thought a visit with her doctor might be a good idea. She was stunned when she found out something was on her pancreas that wasn’t supposed to be there.

“This paralyzed me,” Bowman says, recalling the moment when the results of her CT scan were revealed. “It was actually a very small spot, and my physician said we were going to watch it for six months—so we did.”

That small spot grew; it was biopsied and found to be a pre-cancerous cyst. Bowman’s doctor in northeast Tennessee told her she needed to travel to Knoxville for surgery.

The Surgical Solution

At Fort Sanders Regional, surgical oncologist David Roife, MD, with Premier Surgical Associates used robotic technology to remove the pre-cancerous cyst and the damage it had done. The procedure included taking out two-thirds of Bowman’s pancreas and her spleen.

“Instead of a large abdominal incision, the procedure was performed through a set of four small incisions across the abdomen and one incision in the lower abdomen, like a c-section, in order to remove the specimen from the body,” Dr. Roife says.

The advantages of this type of minimally invasive surgery typically include less pain, decreased chance of infection, and a lower hernia risk than with a more traditional large abdominal incision. The recovery is often speedier, too.

A patient who undergoes traditional open pancreatic surgery can usually expect to be hospitalized for about a week. Not so with Margie Bowman.

“I was in the hospital for three days,” Bowman says. “My nurse stayed with me constantly and helped me so much, and everybody was just really nice.”

Since it was caught so early, her final pathology showed the pre-cancerous cyst with no evidence of invasive cancer. She will not need chemotherapy or further treatment other than surveillance.

Dr. David Roife,
Surgical Oncologist

Leading the Way in Robotic-Assisted Technology

Fort Sanders Regional was the first hospital in East Tennessee to use robotic-assisted procedures in 2004. Since then, the computer-based technology has continued to grow and provides new minimally invasive options to patients.

Sharing the Message

When it was time to be discharged, Bowman’s sister helped with recovery at home, and now Dr. Roife’s patient is doing great. She loves to go for walks, grow flowers and read magazines like the one in which she once unexpectedly found life-saving information.

But Bowman wants to do more than just enjoy each new day of the second chance she’s been given. She wants to help more people learn about pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Roife says it’s important to seek out specialists and a hospital that have a vast amount of experience in cancer surgery and can provide the highest and most up-to-date standard of care.

“Surgery has an extra advantage in complicated cases such as this one. The robot’s superior visualization, 3D display, and more precise instrumentation allow delicate and accurate dissection around high-risk areas such as the pancreas and its underlying blood vessels,” he says.

Dr. David Roife is a surgical oncologist with Premier Surgical at Fort Sanders Regional in Knoxville, TN. To request an appointment with Dr. Roife or any Premier Surgical surgeon, visit https://www.premiersurgical.com/request-an-appointment/

The post Patient Undergoes 1st Robotic Pancreas Surgery at Fort Sanders Regional first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Colon and Rectal Cancer: Signs and Symptoms

Colon and rectal cancer are two types of cancer that are relatively common. They are more likely to develop in individuals with a family history of these cancers, yet environmental factors can also trigger the onset of these cancers, affecting anyone.

What should you do if you are worried you may have either of these cancers? Here are key things to know about colon and rectal cancer from the experienced surgeons at Premier Surgical Associates in East, TN.

The American Cancer Society states that, in 2023, an estimated 106,970 new colon cancer cases will be diagnosed, and 46,050 new rectal cancer cases will be diagnosed.

Signs and Symptoms of Colon Cancer

The most common symptoms of colon cancer include the following:

• Persistent change in bowel habits. This could include a change in the way your stool looks, its size, and the frequency of diarrhea or constipation.
• The inability to empty your bowel fully
• Bleeding or blood found in the stool
• Weakness and fatigue
• Abdominal pain and discomfort that often feels like cramping or gas pain
• Unexplained weight loss

Signs and Symptoms of Rectal Cancer

The most common signs of rectal cancer include:

• Dark coloring or bright red blood in stool
• A change in bowel habits, such as more frequent bowel movements, constipation, or diarrhea, frequently
• Unexplained weight loss
• Narrow stool
• Abdominal pain
• Weakness and fatigue

The best way to determine if you are at risk for colon and rectal cancer is talking with your healthcare provider to assess your risk factors. More importantly, if you experience signs and symptoms of colon and rectal cancer, your healthcare provider may recommend a colonoscopy or other screenings to detect any signs of cancer.

It’s imperative for patients to understand the significance of regular screenings because they can help detect colon and rectal cancer at an early stage when it is more treatable.

What Should You Do If You’re At Risk?

Surgery is often part of the treatment for colon or rectal cancer. Premier Surgical surgeons Dr. Greg Midis, Dr. Sung Lee, and Dr. David Roife were part of the effort that helped Fort Sanders Regional in Knoxville recently become the first hospital in Tennessee to earn a National Rectal Cancer Accreditation.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you’re facing a colon or rectal cancer diagnosis, put your trust in a care team that’s highly experienced and dedicated to helping patients achieve their best outcome. To request an appointment with one of our Premier Surgical surgeons in Knoxville, Cleveland, or Johnson City, Tennessee, visit schedule an appointment.

The post Colon and Rectal Cancer: Signs and Symptoms first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Determined. Motivated Resolved. When Harriman resident Rich Robertson was diagnosed with early-stage rectal cancer, he knew he would do whatever it took to tackle it.

Through two years of radiation, chemotherapy treatments and an intensive surgery that involved removing the cancerous tumor, he kept his sight on his goal: being cancer-free.

Rich and his colon and rectal surgeon, Dr. Sung Lee.

Robertson has always been a fighter. He is retired from his 22-year military career, during which he was wounded in active duty. While on tour in Iraq, he was injured during an IED explosion and, as a
result of his injuries, is paralyzed from the waist down. Robertson now works as a program and project manager at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

His rectal cancer was detected early, in July 2021, when a take-home screening kit presented abnormal results. The veteran was prompted to get a colonoscopy, which revealed a cancerous mass. He was referred to Thompson Cancer Survival Center at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge. He was prescribed chemotherapy and radiation to shrink the tumor.

A Winning Team

Robertson’s case was treated by a multidisciplinary tumor board. The tumor board includes specialists who are directly involved in a patient’s case, from radiology and pathology to oncology and surgery. Coming together, the specialists are able to gain every perspective on cancer cases in order to make a fully informed recommendation.

The tumor board for Robertson’s case included Elliot Navo, MD, radiation oncologist, and Michael Thompson, MD, medical oncologist, both at Thompson Cancer Survival Center at Methodist, and Sung Lee, MD, Premier Surgical colon and rectal surgeon at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville.

After several rounds of chemo and radiation, Robertson underwent surgery at Fort Sanders Regional to remove the mass. Dr. Lee performed a procedure called a robotic-assisted abdominoperineal resection. During the procedure he removed the distal colon, rectum and anal sphincter and created a colostomy. This minimally invasive approach gives patients a lower risk of complication, shorter recovery time and less pain than traditional surgery.

Robertson recovered in the hospital for a few days. “Dr. Navo, Dr. Thompson and Dr. Lee all made me feel like I was in as much control as I could be,” Robertson says. “By nature I’m aggressive, so I wanted to get it over and done with.

“They listened and asked how I was doing. They were upfront about the side effects and what I could do to mitigate them, so I wasn’t surprised by much. My employer was very accommodating and I didn’t miss much work. Plus, it was caught early so the cancer didn’t spread.”

Today, he is six months post-op and feeling great. But it’s been a journey.

Receiving Support

After being injured in Iraq in 2005, Robertson is no stranger to medical care. He considers himself lucky and has learned to keep his circumstances in perspective.

“I know I could have a worse prognosis. The treatment team caring for me have exceeded my expectations. I couldn’t be luckier.”

His wife Sarah has been through the thick of it alongside him, Robertson says. “We have been together 30 years. It’s thanks to her I get to my appointments and take all my medications on time. The team has also been great to communicate everything with my diagnosis and treatment, too.”

Because Robertson is a paraplegic, his rectal cancer symptoms were masked. It was only through the at-home screening kit followed by a colonoscopy that his cancer was detected.

Robertson is thankful to his family and his healthcare team for supporting him through treatment and recovery.

Dr. Lee adds, “Mr. Robertson had no complications and did very well with surgery. He was an active guy and had a positive attitude, and he was motivated to get through his cancer treatment. He did very well and will undergo yearly CT scan for surveillance, but his treatment was curative.”

Dr. Lee emphasizes that colon and rectal cancer often don’t show any symptoms until advanced stages. He encourages people to follow the recommended screening guidelines and report any gastrointestinal symptoms to their primary care physician.

Dr. Sung Lee is a colon and rectal surgeon with Premier Surgical at Fort Sanders Regional in Knoxville. To learn more about Premier Surgical’s Colon and Rectal Cancer services, visit: https://www.premiersurgical.com/specialties/colon-and-rectal-surgery/

The post Harriman Veteran Receives Curative Cancer Care first appeared on Premier Surgical.

After a career in the United States Air Force, Jesus Navarro has developed a can-do and will-do attitude. If something needs to be taken care of, he gets the job done.

So it’s no surprise he was stoic when he received a diagnosis of thyroid cancer. “I really had no big reaction. There was something in me that needed to be taken care of,” Navarro says.

In this case, he got that “something” taken care of at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center.

A Growing Concern

As Navarro has moved away from military life and into retirement, he’s been pleased to swap his uniform for gardening clothes and discovered a gift for making things grow. Along with the tomatoes, potatoes and onions that have graced his garden through recent years, he’s become a fan of flowers.

“I like to buy flowers that are distressed and bring them back to life,” Navarro says. “I’ve had pretty good luck with that, and I like to grow flowers from bulbs, also.”

In December 2021, this peaceful life was interrupted by a lump growing on his neck. A Veterans Administration doctor recommended an ultrasound and CT scan, and Navarro soon received the news that the lump was a malignant tumor.

Choosing Fort Sanders Regional

Like the distressed plants he carefully nurtured, Navarro needed detailed and compassionate care to help him preserve his quality of life. That care came from Ana Wilson, DO, a surgical oncologist with Premier Surgical Associates at Fort Sanders Regional who is fellowship-trained in endocrine surgery.

“If the cancer is fairly small and is what we call a well-differentiated cancer, we can remove either half of the thyroid or the whole thyroid depending on the size of the lesion,”  Dr. Wilson says. “If there are any abnormal- appearing lymph nodes in the lateral parts of the neck, sometimes we have to perform a neck dissection to remove all of the lymph nodes on that side.”

Thyroid procedures can be delicate to perform. Dr. Wilson says the thyroid gland lies directly on top of the trachea, and there is also a risk of injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

“That’s the nerve that controls the vocal cords,” Dr. Wilson says. “It has to be carefully identified during the surgery, and protected to avoid permanent hoarseness in the patient.”

Other risks include bleeding, because the thyroid is a very vascular organ requiring continuous blood circulation, and decreased calcium levels.

“The parathyroid glands lie directly next to the thyroid, and they control calcium levels in our bodies,” Dr. Wilson says. “If those are damaged or accidentally removed during the surgery, it can cause low calcium levels in the postoperative period.”

Regaining Command of His Life

Navarro’s papillary (well-differentiated) cancer was removed with a complete thyroidectomy, and a neck dissection to catch lymph nodes where cancer had spread. With Dr. Wilson’s advanced training in endocrine surgery and special skill in removing cancerous tumors on the thyroid, Navarro’s procedure was a success.

“The surgery went excellent, and I highly praise Dr. Wilson,” Navarro says. He also praises her for her approach to caring for him before and after surgery. “It was just very patient-oriented, and she has a lot of compassion and understanding.”

Navarro has been prescribed medication and vitamins to take over the function of the gland that was removed and is doing well now. Dr. Wilson says survival rates for this most common type of thyroid cancer are usually very good.

“As with all cancers, prevention and early detection are important,” Dr. Wilson says. “If a person notices an unusual lump in the neck that wasn’t there previously or starts to have trouble swallowing, or has any other concerning symptoms of compression in the neck, they should alert their doctor and think about getting an ultrasound.”

Dr. Ana Wilson is a Surgical Oncologist with Premier Surgical Associates at Fort Sanders Regional in Knoxville. To request an appointment with Dr. Wilson, call (865) 524-3695 or visit  https://www.premiersurgical.com/request-an-appointment/.

The post Removing the Threat of Thyroid Cancer first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death among Americans, accounting for over 47,000 deaths in 2020.

Like any other type of cancer, pancreatic cancer develops when the cells in an organ start to grow abnormally. The majority of pancreatic cancer cases originate in the head of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. This cancer is made up of the cells that create pancreatic ducts, which channel digestive enzymes from the pancreas tissue to the intestine.

There is no specific cause of pancreatic cancer, but experts agree that smoking is the main risk factor. A diet excessively high in dietary fat and protein, a sedentary lifestyle, and having a high body mass index can also increase one’s risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Although many cases of pancreatic cancer occur after the age of 45 (about two-thirds develop over the age of 65), it can affect anyone at any age.

Signs and Symptoms

Dr. David Roife
Surgical Oncologist

Surgical Oncologist Dr. David Roife with Premier Surgical at Fort Sanders Regional explains that the early stages of pancreatic cancer often do not cause any signs or symptoms. “A typical presentation is painless jaundice. It’s usually people going about their day, and all of a sudden, their friends or family say ‘hey why do you look yellow?’ They go to an emergency room and get a scan, and that’s the way it first turns up.”

Having any of the following signs and symptoms listed below does not automatically mean you have pancreatic cancer, but they are symptoms that warrant immediate medical attention:

• Belly or back pain
This is the most common symptom of pancreatic cancer.

As the tumor grows, it can start pressing on the nearby organs, causing pain. It may also spread to the surrounding nerves, causing the back pain.

• Weight loss
Unexplained or unintended weight loss is very common in people with pancreatic cancer. They may have very little to no appetite at all.

• Nausea and vomiting
The tumor can press on the far end of the stomach, making food harder to get through. This causes nausea, vomiting, and pain that can get worse after eating.

• Large lump under the rib cage
Pancreatic cancer can cause blockage of the bile duct. This causes the bile to build up in the gallbladder, causing it to enlarge. This can be felt through a physical exam as a large lump just right under the rib cage.

•Early Detection
Dr. David Roife urges early detection when it comes to pancreatic cancer. He says, “Pancreatic cancer is one of the hardest cancers to diagnose early because of the location of where it grows. It typically does not cause any symptoms until it’s already advanced or spread to spread to other organs, which means surgery is not an option for many patients unfortunately.”

“Early detection is one of the most sought after areas of research right now. Once you have it detected, it is important to get treated at a high volume center where the physicians are experienced in dealing with pancreatic cancer, as it involves a team of many kinds of different doctors and specialists to treat you properly including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.”

If you are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, surgical consultation should be a part of your workup to assess if the tumor is capable of being removed. Surgical removal of pancreas cancer is the only chance of a durable cure.

The surgeons of Premier Surgical Associates of Knoxville and Cleveland, TN, like surgical oncologist Dr. Roife, are experienced in diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer. To request an appointment with Dr. David Roife at Premier Surgical Fort Sanders call (865) 524-3695 or visit https://www.premiersurgical.com/fort-sanders-premier-appointment-request/.

The post Pancreatic Cancer: Signs and Symptoms first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Ana K. Wilson, DO, MS, has joined Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center’s surgical oncology program. She is board-certified in general surgery with special fellowship training in complex general surgery and surgical oncology.

In her role at Fort Sanders Regional, Dr. Wilson will join surgical oncologists Gregory P. Midis, MD, and David Roife, MD, of Premier Surgical Associates to provide exceptional care to their surgical oncology patients. In addition to providing excellent care, Dr. Wilson brings a unique perspective to the program.

“My areas of interest are breast, endocrine and skin cancers,” Dr. Wilson said. “I initially wanted to go into surgical oncology because it is so diverse, and I really enjoyed the idea of having a long-term relationship with my patients. During my training, I didn’t see myself focusing on melanoma and breast research, but the more I learned about it the more interested I became.”

Dr. Wilson is passionate about her patients and truly believes in a team approach to care.

“Patient autonomy is really important to me,” she said. “I’m on their side and we’ll work together as a team. A lot of cancer treatments, especially for breast cancer, can be personalized, and we can find the best treatment that works specifically for them.”

Dr. Wilson went to medical school in Fort Worth, Texas, before completing residency training at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. She also completed two fellowships – one clinical research fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and one complex general and surgical oncology fellowship at John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, California.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Wilson, please call (865) 524-3695.

The post Fort Sanders Regional Welcomes Dr. Wilson to the Team first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Let’s get to know her more in this interview.

How did you get into Medicine?
“I’ve always been fascinated by Medicine and how the body works. So, growing up and thinking about what I’d like to do, the idea of helping people and doing what I’m interested in seems like a perfect career for me!”

What school did you go to?
“I went to a medical school in Fort Worth, Texas. I did a research year at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore while completing my 6-year residency at Sinai Hospital. I then did my fellowship for Complex General and Surgical Oncology at John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, California.”

What are your special surgical areas of interest?
“My areas of interest are breast, endocrine, and skin cancers. I initially wanted to go into surgical oncology because it was so diverse, and I really enjoyed the idea of having a long-term relationship with my patients. During my training in California at this institute who is known for their melanoma and breast research, I didn’t see myself focusing on those areas, but the more I learned about it, the more interested I was. And I really felt like I got expert training in these fields.”

What’s your personal philosophy when it comes to patient care?
“The big thing for me is shared decision-making. Patient autonomy is really important to me and making the decision in a shared way with the patient.”

What do you want your patients to know about you?
“I’m on their side and we’ll work together as a team. A lot of cancer treatments especially for breast cancer can be personalized and we can find the best treatment that works specifically for them.”

Why Premier?
“I want to come back to an area close to my family and friends. Plus, Premier Surgical was really appealing. What they were looking for were exactly the types of cancers that I wanted to treat. It worked out perfectly!”

When you’re not in the hospital, what do you love to do?
“I have two kids and we just got a Golden Retriever puppy so that’s one and we do a lot of hiking and spending time outdoors.”

Get to know more about Dr. Ana Wilson by visiting her webpage. To request an appointment with Dr. Wilson, please call (865) 524-3695 or visit this link.

The post Meet Dr. Ana Wilson first appeared on Premier Surgical.

What is Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer on which malignant or cancerous cells develop in the tissues of the pancreas.

The pancreas is the gland behind the stomach and in front of the spine. It is responsible for producing digestive juices and hormones that help regulate blood sugar level.

The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is still unknown but scientists have found several factors that can increase one’s risk of developing this type of cancer. These include obesity, smoking, chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), long-standing diabetes, and familial pancreatic cancer syndrome.

What are the Signs and Symptoms?

Some of the most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer include jaundice or yellowing of the skin and the white part of the eye, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and pain felt on the upper or middle part of the abdomen and back.

How is it Diagnosed?

If you are suspected of pancreatic cancer, your doctor will most likely recommend a number of tests to confirm the diagnosis. Some of these tests may include computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), laparoscopy, and biopsy.

Can it be Treated?

Pancreatic cancer can be treated. The treatment options will depend on one’s cancer stage and overall health condition. The most common treatment options for pancreatic cancer include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. Like any other types of cancer, there is better treatment outcome if the cancer is detected and treated earlier.

The board-certified surgical oncologists of Premier Surgical Associates in Knoxville have specialized knowledge and skill relating to the diagnosis, pre-operative, operative, and post-operative management of pancreatic cancer. Learn more about our surgical oncology team on our website.

The post Pancreatic Cancer Awareness first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Factors Affecting the Survival Rate

Many of those who are diagnosed with cancer are concerned with what their future holds. This is what prognosis is all about. It gives one an idea of the likely course and outcome of the disease (i.e. the chance of recovering from or recurrence of cancer).

There are several factors that can affect prognosis. Some of these include:

• Type and location of cancer
• Stage (extent of spread) and grade (how abnormal the cells look and how likely they are to spread) of the disease
• Certain traits of cancer cells
• Age and general health status before the diagnosis
• Response to treatment

How Early Diagnosis Can Affect the Prognosis

If the cancer has already spread, it can be more difficult to treat, however, cancer that’s diagnosed at an early stage is more likely to be treated successfully.  This is why early diagnosis is so important.

Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Cancer signs and symptoms could vary. However, if you notice unusual changes in your appearance (e.g. occurrence of lumps, unexplained weight loss, presence of unusual skin nodule) or body functioning (e.g. changes in elimination), it’s best to schedule an appointment with your doctor because early detection is key.

If diagnosed with cancer, Premier Surgical oncologists are ready to help every step of the way. Over the decades, our surgical oncologists have helped many cancer patients. We are proud to have treated thousands of these brave people in Tennessee.

Learn more.

The post Early Diagnosis Increases Cancer Survival Rates first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Robin kept the drawing her Premier Surgical surgeon sketched to explain her melanoma surgery.

It’s the paper that was spread across the examination table when Dr. Dudrick drew a picture to help her understand the cancer surgery she would undergo at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center as the result of a melanoma.

An Island Paradise

MacLean guesses that she did the most damage to her skin during the early part of her career with the United States Navy while stationed in Hawaii.

Like many, MacLean used tanning oils that offered little or no sun protection. Other than the occasional smudge of sunblock on her nose, her skin was fair game for plenty of sun exposure.

In the years that followed, MacLean spent hours outdoors with her husband and children. But in 2017, she noticed some blood on her sports bra from a mole on her back. She tried several different bras, and then put a bandage over the mole.

“It was about the size of a pencil eraser, and it was raised a little,” MacLean says. “I just thought I had scraped it, and it hadn’t had enough time to heal.”

Nothing seemed to help. A little frustrated that she couldn’t see what was going on between her shoulder blades, MacLean asked her husband to come and take a look. He told her the mole looked like it might be infected.

MacLean scheduled an appointment with her dermatologist and it turned out to be a potentially life-saving decision. The physician removed not one, but six moles, and sent them to a lab to be tested.

Diagnosis

Several days later, MacLean was driving through a snowstorm out of state when she got a call from the dermatologist saying the mole on her back was a cancerous melanoma.

MacLean told herself that the dermatologist had already removed the mole, so there was no more threat. She told herself that the follow-up appointment with the surgical oncologist was simply a precautionary measure in case just a little more needed to be removed.

But her appointment with Dr. Dudrick of Premier Surgical at Fort Sanders didn’t go the way she expected. He took a pen and sketched the cancer cells where the mole on her back had been, then drew a six-inch incision he planned to make. A second sketch on the paper showed the three layers of skin he was going to have to cut through.

She would also need to undergo nuclear mapping at Thompson Cancer Survival Center to make sure the cancer hadn’t spread to her lymph nodes. MacLean called her husband in tears and then started praying.

“I got chills just walking into Thompson, because you know everyone there is battling cancer,” MacLean says as she wipes away tears. “It still gets me when I think about it.”

Robin looks at the sunshine differently since her melanoma diagnosis and surgery.

Supported by friends and family, and strengthened by her faith, MacLean went forward with the surgery. It was successful, and Dr. Dudrick delivered the good news that the cancer had not spread, so no further treatment was necessary.

Learning from the Past

MacLean was thrilled, and she was also grateful for answered prayers. Now she looks back, realizing it could have been so much worse, but at the same time knowing the cancer could have been avoided.

“I had a blast in the sun at beaches and on spring breaks with my kids,” MacLean says, “but was it worth risking my life?”

The culture has changed, and so has she. MacLean can’t turn back time, and the scar on her back is a permanent part of her now. But because of her experience, life is more precious and she’s now able to alert others to the dangers of overexposure to the sun.

“You need to pay attention to your body, because something like this can happen quickly, and it can be life threatening,” MacLean says. “And if you see something, don’t ignore it.”

To learn more about the surgical treatment of cancer, visit the Premier Surgical Oncology page.  For more info about cancer services at Thompson Cancer Survival Center, visit thompsoncancer.com, or call (865) 331-1111.

The post Bright Days Ahead: Melanoma Patient Becomes Advocate for Sun Safety first appeared on Premier Surgical.