A life-saving scar

FIONA GOODALL

CLOSE CALL: James Jordan shows the scar on his leg – a reminder that he was given a second chance at life after he picked up melanoma soon enough to prevent it spreading.

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"The difference between life and death can be measured in millimetres."

Farm Cove resident James Jordan knows just how close he came when he had a melanoma cut out of his leg.

He says as soon as melanoma spreads out of a thin layer of skin it becomes a serious threat to life.

Mr Jordan's lymph node biopsy turned out to be clear, but the close call left him shaken.

It motivated him to take part in the photographic collection, SCAR: A Mark of Hope, presented by the Melanoma Foundation.

Photographer Pele Lolesi captured 23 New Zealanders living with melanoma to help raise money and awareness during March, which is Melanoma Awareness Month.

The photographer, who aimed to capture inspiring images, is an inspiration herself.

Born with one arm, she has had success in photography despite having to rely on the camera's autofocus.

The 39-year-old mother of six was diagnosed with terminal melanoma in June 2007.

Her photographs show people living their passions – with their melanoma scars. Mr Jordan was photographed gearing up at an indoor hockey rink.

He says if the photos make one person get their moles checked, it will all have been worthwhile.

Trusting your instincts when you feel something isn't right can make the difference between life and death, Mr Jordan says.

He was unhappy with a mole – and it turned out to be melanoma.

"I knew about it and was aware of it, but almost made the mistake of thinking it was okay."

His doctor and his locum had both told him the mole was fine and didn't need to be removed.

He says there was nothing about the size or colour to suggest there was a risk, but knowing it had changed made him worry.

When he persisted and had the mole removed, it was discovered how serious it could have been.

"If I had waited it would have got me."

Mr Jordan says it is hard to spot a change in a mole you have had for a while.

In his case, it was someone else who told him he should get his mole checked.

He says he is now vigilant about sun protection and his 20-centimetre scar is a reminder that he has had a second chance at life.

"I'm incredibly lucky, I look at life in a different way. It was such a shock when they told me it could kill me."

He urges people to be aware of their own skin and not to rely on GPs, who are not specialists.

New Zealand has the highest incidence of melanoma in the world. Every year the disease kills 300 people and there are 2000 new diagnoses.

For a donation of $25 or more, a keepsake book of the photographs, SCAR: A Mark of Hope, is available from the Melanoma Foundation at melanoma.org.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News