Men Against Melanoma

My name is Ben Cobb. I was diagnosed with Metastatic Melanoma on December 24th, 2020. What a way to spend Christmas Eve! In the summer of 2019, I noticed a mole on my back, looking nastier than usual. I had the mole biopsied in March of 2020, and it came back with atypical cells. The dermatologist wanted to remove it as soon as I could schedule it, but I pushed it off because of Covid concerns. That proved to be a mistake. By August 2020, that same mole turned into melanoma and metastasized locally to the nearest lymph nodes. 

I'm 45 years old and have a 6-year-old daughter. I remember sitting in my car that Christmas Eve morning, thinking that was the end. I was scared! I'll be honest, I sat there and cried for half an hour. Thoughts of my daughter growing up without me raced through my head. I don't wish that on anyone. 

I think it's important to share my story with the chance that I may encourage just one person to take the necessary preventive measures and seek out medical attention for early detection. 

Melanoma kills over 7000 people in the United States each year. Over 4000 of those cases are in men. Though my overall goal is to educate everyone on the importance of prevention and early detection, the primary mission of The Men Against Melanoma Foundation is to advocate and educate for the prevention and early detection of Melanoma in men. 

Cancer Sucks! We've all heard that saying many times, and it's true. Trust me, it sucks. Skin Cancer is one of the most preventable Cancers out there and, if detected early, can be taken care of by a dermatologist. But we're MEN! Men work outside, and we play outside. We love being in the sun!

As men, we also hesitate to take care of our skin. Too often, we neglect our body's largest organ. If left untreated, that ugly-looking mole can quickly turn into Melanoma. 

Our mission at the Men Against Melanoma Foundation is to: 

ERADICATE MELANOMA DEATHS IN MEN BY ADVOCATING FOR EDUCATION, PREVENTION, AND EARLY DETECTION