SYRACUSE -- Jim Kenyon doesn't have skin cancer, but the reporter's recent close call with the disease was the basis for a two-part series which concluded on NBC3 (WSTM-TV) this evening . Kenyon says it all started with three tiny blemishes which wouldn't go away.
In the series, titled, "The Skin You're In," Kenyon reports his doctor diagnosed the blemishes as a "pre-cancer" known as actinic keratosis. A news camera was rolling as Kenyon's doctor removed the blemishes, a fairly minor procedure which only required a local anesthetic and about 15 minutes -- minor, compared to the deeper incisions which may have been required if the cells had been found to be cancerous.
Although Central New York is far north of the "sun belt," Kenyon says his fair skin, light hair color and love for being outdoors were contributing factors. And while Kenyon's blemishes tested negative for cancer, the reporter said, "I will have to return [to the doctor] later this month for a full-body examination and for the rest of my life, I would have to remain vigilant for any signs of skin cancer."
Discussing the report with Michael Benny on "The Talk @ Ten" on CW6 (WSTQ-LP), anchor Matt Mulcahy remarked, "kinda gross to watch the surgery, but we got the point," about the importance of having a doctor examine possible skin cancer symptoms.