Skin Cancer Published Sept. 8, 2006 By Kari Tilton 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UT -- Tech. Sgt. Jason Thomas, a reservist with the 67th Aerial Port Squadron here, is in a fight for his life against a disease he believes could've easily been prevented. The Ogden police officer was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer, about three years ago, and says he wants to tell his story to as many people as possible in the hope that others might heed his warnings and avoid a similar brush with death. As with many skin cancer patients, Sergeant Thomas' journey began with an odd looking mole. "(The mole) was on my right shoulder and it was about the size of a pencil eraser. It had sort of a shadowed area around it," Sergeant Thomas said. "I wasn't all that worried about it and was stunned when the doctor told me it was cancerous." Sergeant Thomas believes the cancer was caused by regular overexposure to the sun and frequent sunburns. "I am almost certain I could've prevented this from happening to me if I had only worn sunscreen," he said. "I was the type of person who allowed myself to burn thinking that I would then get a better tan." "It is so important that people wear sunscreen and, if possible, stay out of the sun during hotter times of the day," Sergeant Thomas said. "I hope people will see my story and remember to take precautions to protect their skin." Many who work on Hill AFB are at greater risk for skin cancer due to jobs that keep them out in the sun, added Sergeant Thomas. "It is especially important for all of those here who work on the flightline," he said. "If nothing else, (flightline workers) should put sunscreen on their necks and their ears. These are locations where cancerous tumors are commonly found." In his fight against cancer, Sergeant Thomas has had dozens of lymph nodes removed and has endured chemotherapy treatments and Radiation. In spite of the aggressive treatments, the virulent disease has moved through his blood stream and is now showing up in his liver, lungs, brain, spleen, abdomen, and adrenal glands. When Sergeant Thomas first learned the cancer had spread, he said it was a huge shock. "I was terrified," he said. "It was like a death sentence." Sergeant Thomas' cancer is, in fact, considered terminal, but he has already beaten the odds. Doctors originally told him that he had a 1-3 percent chance of survival and a life expectancy of about three years at the very most. His positive outlook, his family, his personal goals, and the support of his co-workers both here and on the police force keep him going, he said. Those who work with him say they rarely see Sergeant Thomas without a smile on his face. "His positive attitude is inspirational," said Tech. Sgt. Jason Burger of the 67th APS. "The fact that he so openly shares his story shows his concern for others. He wants to do everything in his power to ensure others don't have to go through what he has gone through." Sergeant Thomas says that he has met other cancer patients who were leery about talking to others about their situation while he, on the other hand, will talk to anyone who will listen. I'd rather share my story than hide," Sergeant Thomas said. "I want to get the word out to everybody that skin cancer is serious. It can kill you and take everything you have along with it." According to the American Cancer Society, Melanoma is almost always curable when it is detected in its early stages. However, while melanoma accounts for only a small percentage of skin cancer, it is far more dangerous than other skin cancers, and it causes the majority of skin cancer deaths.