What is your name?
Hi, my name is Nigel Dove.
Describe yourself in 3 to 5 words.
Great, family focused and goal driven.
How did you discover your skin cancer / melanoma / skin condition and how long ago?
I travel the world a lot with my job and I was away on a trip and saw something on my shoulder. I really didn't think anything of it and so left it for a month. Only to find it still there. I went to the doctors again not thinking anything other than a mosquito bite or some tropical bite (spider bite or sand flies). Within 45 seconds I was sent under the two week urgent rule.
I went to the dermatologist and it was confirmed that it was stage 1A invasive malignant melanoma 0.4mm vertical growth. Luckily I caught it just in time. The one thing I will say is go with your gut feeling. Something on this just didn't sit right.
What is your attitude towards sun protection today?
I have never been a sun person but my job of flying round the world doesn't help. Now I use factor 50 as a daily moisturiser. Another Australian brand, SunSense sunscreen. In the picture I am wearing my long sleeve UPF50 top and my Solbari trousers. This is what I wear in the sun and I don't feel hot at all. Solbari products are great. I also do my own Mole Mapping.
What would you tell your 16 year old self about sun protection?
Don't take any risks. Protect your skin.
Thank you Nigel for helping raise awareness for skin cancer, melanoma and skin conditions, and sharing your story with us and our Solbari Community.
