Skin cancer is New Zealand’s most common cancer, and accounts for 80 per cent of all new cancers each year1. It’s commonly known as a ‘silent killer’; moles on our skin are common, and most of them are harmless – but not always.
That’s why being proactive with your health is so important. Here’s how Lauren did it, and how it saved her skin – literally!
Flying too close to the sun
When she was younger, AIA Vitality member Lauren was relatively carefree when it came to sun safety.
“I’m from the old-school generation that used to love tanning beds,” Lauren laughs. “I was definitely unaware of the dangers when I was out enjoying the sun.”
This sun-loving attitude lingered all throughout adulthood, even when she signed up with AIA health insurance. One summer, Lauren received an email from AIA Vitality, reminding her that she was eligible for a MoleMap appointment and discount.
“Since it was coming into summer, I thought there was nothing much to lose by booking an appointment,” Lauren explains.
“The process was super convenient – all I had to do was book an appointment through the AIA Vitality app – and I got a 25 per cent discount for my first visit. The melanographer helped to inspect all my moles while I was there.”
A spot of suspicion
While the MoleMap skin check was quick and painless, the melanographer lingered over a particular mole on Lauren’s foot.
“She said it looked suspicious,” Lauren says. “I’d always had that mole but never went to a professional to have it looked at. The melanographer took a dermascopic image – which magnifies a section of skin – and referred me to a skin specialist for a consult and potential excision.”
Lauren was anxious from the news and was worried about the other moles on her body. Thankfully, she was given the all-clear.
“The MoleMap appointment was very thorough, and even though I had to follow up with a skin specialist, the rest of my moles were benign. I was glad to have full peace of mind after that.”
Excision decision
Following her MoleMap appointment, Lauren checked in with a dermatologist, who suggested they remove the mole for a biopsy.
“The surgery was fairly quick and simple,” Lauren explains. “The melanographer outlined the procedure and what was involved, then he anesthetised the area (it was on the sole of my foot) and removed the lesion. It was over relatively quickly.”
Lauren didn’t have to wait long for her results. Thankfully, the biopsy results came back as benign, which was a huge weight off her mind.
Staying sunsmart
The experience left Lauren with an increased respect for the sun, and more love for her skin.
“I now wear sunscreen every day and ensure my kids are protected too,” she says. “A scare like that can really jolt you into action!”
Following her positive experiences at both MoleMap and the dermatologist, Lauren highly recommends being proactive with your health, and don’t let your skin checks fall by the wayside.
“If it hadn’t been for the email reminders (and the discount with AIA Vitality), I would have never checked my skin with a professional,” Lauren says. “As a mum, we generally put the health of our family before our own, but it’s always important to make time to look after ourselves too. I feel great going into the summer holidays now, knowing that my skin is as good as it can be – thanks AIA Vitality!”
