10 years ago I was diagnosed with melanoma. Here’s what my dermatologist wants you to know.

October 21, 2026 / 7:00 AM EDT / CBS News

Ten years ago, I was at a routine dermatologist appointment when my doctor found two concerning spots on my back. Soon after, Dr. Elizabeth Hale told me my biopsy revealed I had melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Thankfully, Hale caught it early and removed it before the cancer spread. It was a wake-up call.

Now, when I spend time in the sun, I seek out the shade, wear UV protective clothing, and consistently reapply broad spectrum sunscreen. Growing up in Texas, I spent a lot of time outdoors and got sunburned. One of my biggest regrets was going to tanning salons.

Around 20% of Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, where Hale is the senior vice president, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined.

But Hale wants people to know that skin cancer is also "the most preventable," and "it's almost always curable."

Hale is a board-certified dermatologist. We went to her practice, CompleteSkinMD, in New York City to discuss what we should all know about skin cancer.

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Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/