Chuck
Maximum Pace
- Feb 7, 2011
- 1,617
- 1,877
I mentioned earlier that I'd been diagnosed with a spot or two of skin cancer. I wouldn't normally post anything about my health issues, but since this is something that us cyclists need to be concerned about, thought I'd pass along what I've learned in case it might help someone here.
1. It doesn't seem Japanese doctors are well versed in skin conditions of people with white skin. My local dermatologist said it was just a blemish. When I returned a month later since it hadn't healed, he again said it was just a blemish. That diagnosis delayed my treatment for months. Lesson learned.
2. There is a procedure for treating skin cancer called the 'Mohs' procedure. This is where they remove the cancer and an extra 2mm of skin around it. They then test the skin taken, and if they got it all, it's job done. If not, they take a bit more till the tests show no more cancer cells. It is 99% effective with no recurrence and takes the least possible amount of healthy tissue. Unfortunately, in Japan's medical establishment, such a procedure is not available. The reasons for this are astounding, but I won't go into it. Just know that if you have white skin no Japanese doctor within the medical system will provide the Mohs procedure and it is not covered under the Japanese health system. (FYI, It is standard of care in the US and is covered by their health system.)
3. What is the standard of care offered by my hospital? The doctors at the major hospital I go to, intended to remove a 10-14mm diameter patch of skin from my nose and fill the wound with some kind of coagulant that they told me would eventually disappear. Skin graft was not an option. State-of-the-art medicine in Japan seems to be 'the shotgun approach' where they remove lots of healthy skin IOT to be sure they get all the cancer. They seemed unconcerned with leaving me with a large, weird looking scar on my nose. They were unfamiliar with the Mohs procedure and also unconcerned with my concern about having such a scar. Literally, no skin off their noses.
4. Did research online and found one doctor who does the Mohs procedure and that's where I'll be having my surgery done. Not covered by insurance and is quite expensive. OUCH! (Could have bought a couple really nice bikes. Nuts!!) He told me that he gets people from Misawa air base referred to him. Seems he's one of the only people in Japan that can deal with white skinned people.
Bottom line, best thing is not to get skin cancer, so use that sunblock! But if you have white skin and you are covered by Japanese health insurance, you will be given no option but to either go with the 'shotgun approach' and the resulting disfigurement, or pay out of pocket and go to someone who knows the Mohs procedure.
Looks like my case is going to be OK, so no need for anyone to be concerned for me. Just posting this in case anyone else can benefit from knowing what I wish I'd known months ago. I'll update this after my surgery in late August in case anyone is interested to know how it went.
1. It doesn't seem Japanese doctors are well versed in skin conditions of people with white skin. My local dermatologist said it was just a blemish. When I returned a month later since it hadn't healed, he again said it was just a blemish. That diagnosis delayed my treatment for months. Lesson learned.
2. There is a procedure for treating skin cancer called the 'Mohs' procedure. This is where they remove the cancer and an extra 2mm of skin around it. They then test the skin taken, and if they got it all, it's job done. If not, they take a bit more till the tests show no more cancer cells. It is 99% effective with no recurrence and takes the least possible amount of healthy tissue. Unfortunately, in Japan's medical establishment, such a procedure is not available. The reasons for this are astounding, but I won't go into it. Just know that if you have white skin no Japanese doctor within the medical system will provide the Mohs procedure and it is not covered under the Japanese health system. (FYI, It is standard of care in the US and is covered by their health system.)
3. What is the standard of care offered by my hospital? The doctors at the major hospital I go to, intended to remove a 10-14mm diameter patch of skin from my nose and fill the wound with some kind of coagulant that they told me would eventually disappear. Skin graft was not an option. State-of-the-art medicine in Japan seems to be 'the shotgun approach' where they remove lots of healthy skin IOT to be sure they get all the cancer. They seemed unconcerned with leaving me with a large, weird looking scar on my nose. They were unfamiliar with the Mohs procedure and also unconcerned with my concern about having such a scar. Literally, no skin off their noses.
4. Did research online and found one doctor who does the Mohs procedure and that's where I'll be having my surgery done. Not covered by insurance and is quite expensive. OUCH! (Could have bought a couple really nice bikes. Nuts!!) He told me that he gets people from Misawa air base referred to him. Seems he's one of the only people in Japan that can deal with white skinned people.
Bottom line, best thing is not to get skin cancer, so use that sunblock! But if you have white skin and you are covered by Japanese health insurance, you will be given no option but to either go with the 'shotgun approach' and the resulting disfigurement, or pay out of pocket and go to someone who knows the Mohs procedure.
Looks like my case is going to be OK, so no need for anyone to be concerned for me. Just posting this in case anyone else can benefit from knowing what I wish I'd known months ago. I'll update this after my surgery in late August in case anyone is interested to know how it went.