Being Proactive..

In September I finally was fortunate enough to find a family doctor in Calgary - and he is only like a 20 min walk from my house which is nice too. That appointment was a meet and greet really to see if he would take me as a new patient. When he accepted me as a patient I asked him to check a facial mole that I had noticed changed colour. With my mom having had breast cancer and my sister with bone cancer, I wanted to take a proactive role to ensure that if this was becoming cancerous that I will deal with right now instead of later. Today I had my appointment with the dermatologist. It was the right decision as she too agrees with taking a proactive role and I will be having the one facial mole that had changed colour removed next month. Since it is near my hairline - my bangs will cover the scab heals. The other 2 facial moles which the doctor said are benign, can be removed but will have to be done by a plastic surgeon requiring a couple of stitches as well. The dermatologist said that if I wanted those moles removed that she can refer me, which after talking with my mom tonight, I will probably do. It is a good feeling having encountered two physicians who listens to their patient and agrees in proactive treatment when looking at a patient's family history especially with cancers. Funny thing, my current family physician was the third physician I had asked this question to - the other two physicians took the "wait and see approach". So being proactive in your health also means being persistent if you feel it is a concern to you.