Sometimes a mole isn’t just a mole — the importance of knowing everything about your melanoma
In Marcel Vonah’s youth, a mole at his hairline was merely an annoyance that needed to be dealt with. Little did he know that in adulthood that mole would seriously impact his life. In 2011 Vonah was diagnosed with stage I melanoma. What began as a mole and turned into a melanoma diagnosis later became stage IV (metastatic) melanoma that spread to his brain, lungs, liver, and spleen.
“The initial diagnosis was a complete shock and I was concerned for my young family. But thanks to a positive attitude, a determined wife, a dedicated oncologist, and the support of the Save Your Skin Foundation, I continue to embrace life and have hope for the future.”
The 41-year-old heavy-duty mechanic has always loved the great outdoors. Vonah skied and rode a BMX bicycle competitively, winter and summer. He spent hours outside for his work and enjoyed the fresh air with his family, and also as a children’s sports coach in Prince George, British Columbia.
When he was a child, Vonah had a mole removed from his head that was continually being nicked by his hairdresser. Fast forward to 2010; the mole had returned, and it was black. Vonah was referred to a dermatologist who shaved the top and sent it for testing. “I was told not to worry as people in northern British Columbia don’t get skin cancer. The testing came back negative, but that was just the beginning.”
As a licensed practical nurse Chelsea, Vonah’s wife, worked for a plastic surgeon. His mole had continued to concern her. Marcel explains: “One day in 2011, Chelsea introduced us, saying ‘this is my husband, and this is his mole’. The surgeon removed the mole. Five days later she told us it was melanoma and that we needed to find out if it had spread to other parts of my body.”
The plastic surgeon later performed an aggressive surgery that involved the removal of a four-inch diameter area from Vonah’s head, as well as some lymph nodes. Vonah was advised how to protect himself from the sun and sent on his way. “I considered myself lucky and for the next five years regular testing, bloodwork, MRIS and CAT scans showed everything was clear. We continued with life, enjoying outdoor sports, family and coaching, but we did it smartly.”
Hayley Wickenheiser, a former Canadian Olympian and Hockey Hall of Famer understands the importance of skin protection. As an elite athlete she spent hours in the sun while training and playing sports. Currently in her final year of medical school, Wickenheiser knows the damage melanoma can do to a body. “Young athletes are healthy and fit and focused on their sport. Skin cancer, let alone melanoma, are not top of mind. There’s a certain level of danger that comes with fun in the sun. The time you take to protect your skin is worth it because a cancer diagnosis could have a much worse outcome.
Melanoma is not simply about cutting something out and moving on; it’s complicated and can be deadly. This is the message I want to get across.”
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, melanoma is the deadliest of all the skin cancers. Recent statistics estimate that this year alone, 8,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with melanoma and 1,300 will die from it.
Kathy Barnard, melanoma survivor and founder of the Save Your Skin Foundation (SYSF) says, “Melanoma is a beast. It does not discriminate by age, race, gender or skin colour. We all have a responsibility to protect ourselves from this devastating cancer.” Results from a new survey show that more than half of Canadians (55%) either don’t know or agree that a small amount of sun exposure without protection won’t lead to melanoma. Further, one in four are unaware that spending more time in the sun increases their risk.
Vonah’s story doesn’t end with remission. In 2019, paralysis on one side of his face, combined with nausea and dizziness, sent him back to the operating table; this time for high risk brainstem surgery. Vonah’s melanoma was back — and it was metastatic. Quick testing for mutations put him on a new path to take on his cancer.
About half of people with melanoma skin cancers have the BRAF gene that causes it to make an overactive protein that makes cells grow and divide too fast . For someone like Marcel with advanced melanoma, knowing if it has the BRAF mutation can help doctors determine the right course of treatment.
Through a friend, Chelsea found advice, advocacy and support through Kathy Barnard and SYSF. “Kathy helped us understand Marcel’s diagnosis and why it was important to know his mutation type. She took us under her wing at a time when we had lost hope. Today, we are well supported and have access to the right information. We are ready for the future.”
For more on the survey, patient support and mutation information, visit saveyourskin.ca and melanomajustgotpersonal.ca.
MELANOMA IS A BEAST. IT DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE BY AGE, RACE, GENDER OR SKIN COLOUR. — KATHY BARNARD, FOUNDER, SAVE YOUR SKIN FOUNDATION