Man’s melanoma discovered during haircut in Forsyth County

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — Every two weeks, you’ll find Larry Frazier getting his haircut by Robin Anderson. It’s been part of Fraizer’s routine for nearly 40 years.

“I would have to consider Robin one of my very closest friends,” Frazier said.

And last fall, that routine and friendship may have saved his life.

“The fact is this could have been catastrophic … If I had ignored it, it would have gotten worse,” Frazier said.

During the twice-monthly haircuts, Frazier exposes part of his upper back so Anderson can shave his neck and shoulder blades. In September, Anderson noticed one of the moles on Frazier’s back looked different. She urged him to see a doctor.

“He didn’t go get it looked at, so the next time he came back, I said it to him again,” Anderson said. “And then I think I got kind of stern the third time.”

Frazier recalled it being a little more than just “stern.”

“It was that one hit that almost dislocated my shoulder,” Frazier said. “That was the one that got my attention.”

But it worked. Frazier went to see a dermatologist who ordered a biopsy.

“When pathology came back, they called, and they immediately said, ‘Larry, it’s melanoma. We need to deal with it right away,'” Frazier said. “And that’s when everything went into motion.”

Within a week, Frazier had surgery where doctors also removed three lymph nodes to determine whether it spread. The incision left a 6-inch scar across his upper back.

“It wasn’t what I expected,” Frazier said. “When you figure how small it was to begin with to what it ended up looking like, it was a shock to me.”

Fortunately, Frazier’s melanoma was caught early, and he is considered cancer-free.

“It’s unfortunate because now I have to listen to it the rest of my life,” Frazier said. “But I’m sure she saved my life.”

According to Dr. Deborah Dorell, a dermatologist physician with Novant Health, about 90% of melanomas are caused by UV exposure over time, and 10% is based on family history.

She urges people to conduct regular skin checks and pay special attention to moles or skin pigmentation. New moles, those that change in color or shape, have irregular or jagged borders and those that appear red, blue or gray or include pain or bleeding should be investigated by a doctor.

Dr. Dorrell said anyone can get melanoma, but individuals with fair skin and light eyes are at higher risk. Those with more than 50 moles as well as those who’ve had more than five blistering sunburns before age 20 also face an increased risk.

Here are some ways to avoid sun damage to your skin:

• Avoid extended time outdoors during peak sun times (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
• Use sunscreen (at least SPF 30) and reapply every 90 minutes.
• Wear wide-brim hats and sunshirts.

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