Courtney Knutson

My Melanoma journey started 14 years ago in April 2009. After a few years of getting my skin “semi” checked by my general practitioner, I decided it was time to get a thorough skin exam by a dermatologist. I made an appointment at the dermatology clinic where my cousin, Heather, worked as a nurse practitioner. I went into the exam thinking they would be like all other skin checks I’ve had (naked and cold) but I ended up having two moles removed, one on my back and one on the outside of my left thigh. The mole on my back was shaped like the state of Tennessee and fairly light in color. The mole on my leg was a perfect circle, about the diameter of a pencil eraser, but was much darker than the mole on my back.

As Heather stitched me up, we were discussing our family history of melanoma, but I regarded it as nothing more than a casual conversation. After all, I was 30, still young, still invincible, and clearly naïve. When Heather called a few days later with the lab results, she said Tennessee was benign but the mole on my leg was malignant for melanoma and I needed to have surgery ASAP to remove more of the surrounding tissue to ensure clear margins. All I remember thinking was Melanoma = Cancer, and I deserved it. I had been that person who didn’t wear sunscreen because it was cool to be tan. I had been that person who used tanning beds, especially before a tropical vacation, because a base tan meant no sunburn.

Melanoma can spread like wildfire, so just a short week later, I was at the hospital for surgery. Due to the mm size of the cancer detected, I ended up having a few lymph nodes removed to be tested as well. (Side note: I don’t wish the dye test that detects which lymph nodes to remove on anyone!) To say I was lucky with the lab results is an understatement because all the cancer was removed from my leg and the lymph nodes tested negative. I was left with a 6” scar on my leg but I was officially done with that battle and was more than grateful for the scar.

In the 14 years since I have endured having 30+ moles/spots removed from my body. About 1/2 of them tested ‘abnormal’ and could’ve potentially developed into Melanoma if I hadn’t removed them. It took me well into my mid to late 30s to be comfortable even being in the direct sun. I would seek shade or avoid outdoor activities all together just to protect myself. However, during the years of avoiding the sun, I chose to educate myself about the various types of skin cancer, the multitude of ways to protect myself while enjoying the outdoors and eventually educating others about sun safety. I was part of a local support group for Melanoma survivors and fighters called Sol Survivors. It was through Sol Survivors that I spoke to high school health classes about the risk factors of tanning bed use. In 2015, I had the privilege of testifying in front of the Idaho Senate to tell my melanoma story to pass House Bill 177 banning children aged 13 and under from the use of tanning beds and requiring parental consent for tanning bed use for children ages 14 to 18. The bill passed the Senate that day and it was the first of many steps in the fight against tanning bed use in Idaho.

One event I look forward to each year is volunteering for Run for Dunn. I learned about Amy Dunn shortly after she passed and as much as I would have loved to have met her and supported her through her melanoma journey, helping to keep her spirit and legacy alive alongside her family, friends, and local community is the least I can do. Sadly, Sol Survivors has dissolved but I continue to advocate for Sun Safety and Melanoma Awareness. I encourage people to ‘Get Naked’ and get their skin checked all the while reminding them that scars are tattoos with better stories!