The Skin Check: Meet Jessica Layton

My interview with Jessica is the last episode of the Skin Check before the Ultraviolet Tide podcast takes a short hiatus for summer. We will be returning in early July with new episodes, starting with a really vulnerable conversation with Melissa Kultgen.

Jessica is a photographer, travel nurse, army wife, and a full-time dog mom. She was first diagnosed with melanoma at the end of 2020 after a shave biopsy on her leg. Last year, Jessica and I both made the decision to have genetic testing done.

Unbeknownst to us, we had our genetic testing done within a few days of each other and soon realized it after she shared her on Instagram stories that she was waiting for her results. Like so many things related to cancer, waiting for the results felt really isolating and brought up some serious anxiety. It was so incredibly helpful to have someone to check in with and share those fears with as we both waited for our results to come back.

Jessica also shares her story of diagnosis and the ways in which she has had to advocate for herself since then. One of the unique challenges she faces is that of a military wife who has to move due to her husband’s career. She discusses their most recent move and how that impacts her approach to melanoma prevention and detection. Having a regular care team and access to specialists is critical for melanoma patients and survivors, something they never expected to account for as she and her husband look at best possible locations for future military assignments.

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