There are a lot of mistaken notions about melanoma out there. Among the deadliest is the idea that people of color cannot develop melanoma and other skin cancers. Nothing is further from the truth.

In this episode, Jacqueline Smith shares her story of surviving stage three melanoma twice – all before the age of 26 - and her transformative journey into an unexpected life. Today, Jacqueline is a D.C. based leader in melanoma patient advocacy as well as a wife and mother. Listen as Jacqueline shares her inspirational story with Marianne Banister, illustrating that melanoma can strike anyone of any age, any gender and any race. Melanoma never discriminates!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✅ Why the risk of death from melanoma is higher for people of color

✅ Why you need to see a dermatologist - not a general practitioner for diagnosis

✅ The power of pivoting to new adventures in life

✅ The value of advocating for yourself as a patient

Links

🔶 Melanoma Does Not Discriminate https://bit.ly/3HW90m7

🔶 Jacqueline’s Story; When it Comes to Melanoma - Expect the Unexpected https://bit.ly/3unJtbw

🔶 Melanoma & Skin of Color - Melanoma Research Alliance https://bit.ly/4iGTk5P

Claire Marie Foundation Mission

“ The Claire Marie Foundation provides clarity and hope in the fight against adolescent and young adult melanoma through awareness, education and prevention.

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Pregnancy. It’s one of the most thrilling and stressful times in a couple’s life. So many changes that lie ahead! So many things to worry about for both a healthy baby and mom. But did you know for some women, hormonal changes that bring a new life can also trigger melanoma?

In this powerful conversation, Jamie Martell, a young mom from Maryland, opens up with Marianne Banister about how not one - but two melanoma diagnosis - left her fighting for her life during pregnancy. It’s a story of courage, love and joy which should benefit any expectant mom.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✅ Why melanoma can develop in pregnancy

✅ The need to get a skin screening during pregnancy

✅ The link between pregnancy and previous melanoma diagnosis

✅ The value of functional health in wellness

✅ The life saving role of medical research

Links

🔶Jamie’s Story: Pregnancy, Hormones and Melanoma https://bit.ly/3yWH505

🔶Melanoma During Pregnancy: What it Means For You and Your Baby https://bit.ly/4kZ1Dvs

🔶 Choosing For You and Baby: The Best Sunscreens for Pregnant Moms https://bit.ly/3FzpstB

Claire Marie Foundation Mission

“ The Claire Marie Foundation provides clarity and hope in the fight against adolescent and young adult melanoma through awareness, education and prevention.

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🔶 Instagram

🔶 Facebook

🔶 LinkTree

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In this first episode of An Unexpected Life, host Marianne Banister shares the story of her 14-year-old daughter, Claire’s, diagnosis of adolescent melanoma. It upturned not only Claire’s life, but that of her entire family. Everyone was blindsided by the fact that Claire’s cancer was triggered by hormonal changes rather than the “too much exposure to the sun.”

Listen in to discover why Claire’s diagnosis was not rare, but in fact part of a newly noted epidemic of melanoma in adolescents and young adults. Marianne sits down with renown oncologist Dr. Morganna Freeman Vance, to share how melanoma in young people is often overlooked, ignored and, most importantly how best you can protect those you love.

Its invaluable information for parents, grandparents and anyone 13 to 30 who want to live their best life in a sun safe way!

What You’ll Learn in this Episode

✅ Melanoma is the second most common cancer in adolescents and the most common cancer in young adults under 30,

✅ Melanoma can be triggered in young people by genetics and hormonal changes in puberty, pregnancy, including hypothyroidism.

✅ Why melanoma is different in young people than older adults.

✅ The importance of skin screenings and sun safe behavior for young people.

✅ Melanoma vaccines on the horizon.

Links:

🔶Don’t Get Blindsided! Your Thyroid and Melanoma. https://bit.ly/46MWVcS

🔶More Evidence of Why Melanoma Is of Special Risk to Young People https://bit.ly/3kJLP5m

🔶Claire’s Story / Children’s Cancer Foundation https://bit.ly/3FOdOrI

🔶Education to Save Young Lives; Basics of AYA Melanoma https://bit.ly/3ZVYqDx

Claire Marie Foundation Mission

“The Claire Marie Foundation provides clarity and hope in the fight against adolescent and young adult melanoma through awareness, education and prevention.”

Follow and Connect

🔶 www.clairemariefoundation.org

🔶 Instagram.com/clairemariefoundation

🔶 Facebook.com/ClaireMarieFoundation

🔶 Donate to our foundation

🔶 Linktree

Send us a text

Support the show