Dermatologist Says Man's Life Was Likely Saved After TikTok Viewers Noticed A Strange Mole On His Back
A man's recent TikTok video post tipped off some of his followers to a very unusual looking mole on his back.
The life-saving video in question featured newly married Alex Griswold and his wife.
The 23-year-old was so stoked about being married that he put together a quick supercut of his favorite aspects of married life.
The video highlights some prime domestic minutiae.
"You have a built in best friend that you get to have sleepovers with."
"You compliment each other's farts."
But it's Griswold's mention of his wife's EXTREMELY selfless grooming approach that features that diabolical mole.
"Back scratches always become pimple popping sessions."
As that goofy caption rolls across the top of the screen, an intimate shot of Griswold's pale, evidently defiled back looms below.
In the post's caption, Griswold even called attention to the back footage, though his mind is far from concerned for his own safety.
It wasn't until a concerned user reached out to Griswold via email that Mr. Newlywed decided to book an appointment with a dermatologist and take a look see at that mole.
Alex Griswold
Griswold told Buzzfeed just how far off his radar checking that mole would have been without the email.
"I had never been to the dermatologist before. I probably wouldn't have gone for years and years."
The dermatologist even told him that whoever the stranger was who reached out after seeing his TikTok "probably saved his life."
After the appointment, Griswold checked back in on TikTok to give the entire play by play from that initial 'Just Married' post to major back wound without any more Melanoma danger on it.
He tells followers that during his appointment the dermatologist said the mole "might be skin cancer."
So the dermatologist removed the mole and sent it off to a lab.
The lab's results? In Griswold's words: "Dude, that IS turning into skin cancer."
So he went back to the doctor and the whole 'moley' area was excavated of any trace of the cancerous tissue.
And the dude had a HUGE wound. Because Griswold is apparently very open about posting, he gives us some excellent wound content.
Shine on, Mr. Griswold.
As the end of his TikTok follow up video suggests, the internet really can be a tool for positive community-building and social connection.
Beauty Queen Diagnosed With Rare Skin Cancer After Discovering Strange Bruise Under Fingernail
21-year-old Karolina Jasko had quite a shock when she discovered a bruise under the nail on her thumb when she was 18.
She didn't think much of it until she developed an infection in the same nail after several days.
Jasko shared her story in a Facebook post.
"You guys!! I finally get to share something I was really looking forward to for a few months now!"
Many think of cancers, especially melanomas, as something elderly folks deal with.
Unfortunately, that isn't always the case.
"I was diagnosed with melanoma when I was 18, and my early detection saved me from my melanoma spreading and me possibly losing my thumb."
"When I was asked to appear on The Doctors , I was honored. Not only honored to appear on television, but to be able to share my message of early detection and taking care of yourself, physically and psychologically."
"I wish you guys would have the full interview, but the summary provided in these clips is very important."
You can view those two clips below.
Beauty Queen's Trip to Nail Salon Uncovers Canceryoutu.be
Subungual Melanoma: What You Need to Knowyoutu.be
For many who keep their nails manicured and painted, it is important to do a thorough check of the nail bed between manicures.
While much rarer, melanomas on the arms and hands, or feet and legs, are much more severe.
According to TheNew York Post, doctors are blaming the increase in these particular melanomas on a popular nail treatment.
They cited:
"the popularity of gel manicures that require setting with harmful ultraviolet light."
Doctor Vishal Patel spoke with TODAY about these types of melanomas. Patel is assistant professor of dermatology at the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences.
He was not one of the doctors who treated Jasko, but is very familiar with these cancers.
"It's like tanning beds for your hands. We're seeing a lot of patients having not only melanomas, but all types of skin cancers around the finger tips and the cuticles."
Some on social media seemed to disagree, but others encouraged erring on the side of caution.
@billandbobsbud @globalnews @CKNW Nails grow back, life doesn't. Choose wisely.β BlackBird (@BlackBird) 1556907861.0
One Twitter user had an interesting suggestion.
Slap #sunscreen on your hands before getting your #nails done. Beauty queen Karolina Jasko discovers getting her NAβ¦ https://t.co/iwTDiFqBdjβ jill adelus (@jill adelus) 1529050902.0
Jasko is not the only famous person who has had nail cancer.
@globalnews @globalhalifax Bob Marley had the same cancer which eventually killed him, acral cancerβ j paul (@j paul) 1556905286.0
Jasko touched on this in her Facebook post, as well.
"Skin cancer is one of the most deadliest forms of cancer and protecting your skin should be a priority. If you enjoy no chip manicures, tanning beds, etc., please be safe about it."
"Schedule a yearly appointment with a dermatologist, do self skin checks, wear sunscreen, avoid tanning beds, and try to take precaution and switch to different methods of nail care."