- Early detection makes a big difference
- Treatment can be straightforward when cancer is found early
- Every cancer journey is unique, but support matters
It started with a spot on the skin of his right arm that didn’t look right.
“I’ve had other spots here and there removed over the years, areas that didn’t heal right. They were never called cancer,” says Eric Schleifer. “My dermatologist took care of them, and none were ever a major problem until this one.”
It was melanoma. Eric’s dermatologist removed it, but because it seemed to go very deep, he suggested Eric go to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Eric wasn’t too worried. It was only the size of a pencil eraser, but he knew it was serious enough that Roswell Park should handle it. “I knew I would be in good hands.”
Early diagnosis meant less aggressive treatment
Because Eric saw a dermatologist regularly and had an annual skin screening, his melanoma was detected at an early stage, when the five-year survival rate is 100%. For melanomas that have spread to a lymph node, that rate can drop by as much as 25%.
After an in-office procedure with surgical oncologist Ankit Patel, MD, Eric was left with a 3-inch incision and a cancer-free declaration. “Dr. Patel is amazing,” he says. “He is just the coolest, down-to-earth guy. I chatted with the nurse during the procedure. I had no pain and it healed very well.”
Even better was the confirmation that his melanoma was still at an early stage. “The cancer wasn’t in any lymph nodes, it hadn’t spread and I don’t need any more treatment,” he says. Eric knows all too well that not everyone gets through cancer that easily. “My family has had a close relationship with Roswell for years. My wife receives Gamma Knife radiosurgery at Roswell Park for an acoustic neuroma, a type of noncancerous brain tumor. My brother had multiple myeloma and survived 16 years, far beyond what was expected for him. My sister had breast cancer and my mother had colon cancer.
“I saw what they had to go through, but I also saw how Roswell Park takes care of people,” he says. “Roswell is just an amazing place where you are always treated with dignity and respect.
“It’s a healing place,” Eric adds. “Everybody there has that state of mind. Even if the outcome isn’t exactly what you want, there’s not an answer for every problem, but you can feel comfortable putting your care in their hands.”
Why Roswell Park for melanoma?
All cancer victories matter
Eric says he was joking when he asked Dr. Patel about his cancer-free status and suggested, “maybe I should go ring the Victory Bell. But I felt like it would have been stolen valor. I didn’t have to go through what other patients do.” Eric hopes that one day, everyone will be able to have their cancers treated as quickly and easily as his was. That’s certainly something worth ringing the Victory Bell for.
Want to ring the Victory Bell?
The Victory Bell is meant to celebrate victory in your cancer journey, whether it’s finishing treatment or simply another day of survivorship. Give it a good clang. We will celebrate with you!
Editor’s Note: Cancer patient outcomes and experiences may vary, even for those with the same type of cancer. An individual patient’s story should not be used as a prediction of how another patient will respond to treatment. Roswell Park is transparent about the survival rates of our patients as compared to national standards, and provides this information, when available, within the cancer type sections of this website.
