Lee's Skin Cancer Story
"I would advise people to get any skin changes they notice, like bumps, lumps or marks, checked. Being diagnosed with skin cancer changed my life, but I'm doing well now and I'm healing."
Lee Thompson, 37, from Dublin was diagnosed with a benign tumour 15 years ago after he developed a hard lump on his head and had surgery to remove it. However, he continued to experience pain for several years after the surgery before he was diagnosed with a rare, slow-growing skin cancer called dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) last year.
"I was diagnosed with DFSP last year, I was shocked with the doctor told me. It had been ongoing for 7 years, without me even noticing. It's a super rare skin cancer. I've had so many scans and hospital visits, and I've had surgery in three different hospitals. I've had five surgeries all in the space of one year, including wide excision surgery."
“The treatment is still ongoing. I’ve received great care at St. James’s hospital, and as of now am cancer free. In four months, I will hopefully have my last two surgeries with a tissue expander.”
Lee will have check-ups every six months for the next 3-5 years as there is a high reoccurrence rate with DFSP.
“I don’t feel the same or as active as I was before the tumour. As a tattoo artist and chef, I love to craft and create art. Though, I find that I can get anxious and overthink as it’s been emotional living with this cancer. It may have changed me in many ways, but I’m still doing well,” he says.
“This cancer has opened my eyes a lot more. I encourage anyone to have their lumps and bumps checked. No matter what you are going through, always follow your gut.”
