At the age of 26, Jackie found a lump in her bikini line. She saw doctor after doctor, all who told her it was nothing to worry about.
But as a Ph.D. student, Jackie was determined to get to the bottom of her health issue. She finally found out her lump was cancer, but when she heard the words "melanoma," she was shocked. As a young African-American woman, skin cancer was the last thing on her mind.
After being told by doctors it would be a miracle if she survived 5 years, she decided to come to Moffitt for melanoma treatment. Today, she is cancer free and telling everyone she can about the importance of skin cancer screening - and not taking "no" for an answer when it comes to your health.
Watch as she tells her story in her own words.
Video List º Meet Jackie, Melanoma Survivor & Ph.D. Student
º When did you first suspect something was wrong?
º What did your doctor think the lump was?
º Did you get a second opinion for your lump?
º How long were you told you had to live?
º How did you come to Moffitt?
º Tell us about your treatment at Moffitt.
º Did you experience any side effects?
º What were your thoughts when the doctors said melanoma?
º Was this something extremely rare?
º How do you feel about your surgeon and the Moffitt staff?
º How long have you been cancer free?
º Are you afraid your skin cancer might return?
º What do you tell others about skin cancer? º What do you tell others when you talk about Moffitt?
Other Multimedia On Melanoma And Skin Cancer
Watch Dr. Jane Messina's Melanoma Prevention Video
View Dr. Vernon Sondak's Skin Cancer Video
Additional Melanoma Links
Moffitt's Cutaneous (Skin Cancer) Program
Spring Swing, Moffitt's Sun Safety Tour
Search For Melanoma Clinical Trials
Donate To Skin Cancer Research
Write To Your Legislator About Skin Cancer Funding
Sun Safety Links
Skin Cancer - What To Look For
