Interestingly, your nails are a good indicator of many health issues you may be suffering, including skin cancer it transpires.
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David Edges, 52, had developed a small dark line on his toenail. Like most people, he just disregarded it as another one of those things. It would probably sort itself out eventually. However, his wife, a cosmetics expert remembered something from her training.
She knew dark marks on nails like these could be signs of something more serious. So, she suggested he take himself to get a checkup. But, the doctor didn't think it was anything to worry about too much. They simply suggested that he keep an eye on the nail, and not to think too much into it. However, it was the early warning sign of a very serious form of skin cancer.
As the dark line under his toenail worsened, his wife insisted he get a biopsy. It was this that revealed that he did have a subungual melanoma. This is an aggressive and very dangerous form of skin cancer that had shown itself through his toenail.
Quick Thinking Caught Skin Cancer Early On
It was due to the assistance of his wife that he was able to catch the vicious skin cancer early. After a number of checks, it was confirmed to be a melanoma, and they were able to start getting it removed.
He had to go through a procedure to remove the cancerous cells. Because the skin cancer was at the surface of the skin, it was easy to remove. He had the cancerous cells cut out and a skin graft from his hip to replace the lost skin.
He kept the whole thing very private, not wanting to panic his family or friends. "We didn't tell our children until David got the all-clear as he didn't want to worry them," his wife, Kelly, said. "He's been very private during appointments and biopsies, but now he has the all-clear he feels it's important to let people know the warning signs."
These things can often go unnoticed. It is important to recognize the signs of ill health that the body shows. Skin cancer can be easily missed until it is too late.
