Alison, a breast cancer survivor, shares the hopeful message that regular screenings for breast cancer and melanoma can "change everything"
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Seven years ago, when love brought Cara Mia Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Alison Collier back to Colorado from New York, she had no idea her expertise in skin cancer and, soon after, her own courageous fight with breast cancer, would make her a powerful voice for a little-known but critical fact:
…Women who have had either breast cancer or melanoma are at a higher risk of developing the other. Because of this, they should routinely screen for both.
After a long-distance relationship with a Colorado native (now her husband), Alison, a Denver native, returned home and joined Cara Mia Dermatology. Today, she works from their Poplar Street and Ogden Street locations.
Alison received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at the University of Colorado and her Master of Science degree in nursing at Columbia University in New York, followed by a rigorous two-year dermatology training program encompassing medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology, at a very busy practice in New York City.
“I love dermatology because every day is different. The skin is not only the largest organ, it is the most visible, and one of the greatest indicators of your overall health. Often, I know what my patient is dealing with as soon as I walk into the examination room.” She finds deep satisfaction in treating common and complex skin conditions in patients of all ages, from eczema in children to teenage acne to aging or sun-damaged skin in adults. Many conditions she treats require long-term management. She also diagnoses and helps treat skin cancer and has assisted in advanced Mohs surgery.
A Survivor’s Story: Turning Pain into Purpose
Three years ago, Alison was diagnosed with breast cancer. “It was shocking,” she says. “I had no symptoms and it was actually random that I found it. My gynecologist suggested genetic testing, and it turned out I carry the BRCA2 gene mutation, and my father is a carrier.”
Tragically, her mother passed away from breast cancer the same year Alison was diagnosed.
“Finding out I was positive for BRCA2 probably saved my life,” Alison reflects. “I was able to take immediate action and underwent a double mastectomy. Because it was found early, I didn’t need chemo or radiation. Early detection gave me that chance.”
Now under close medical watch with regular ultrasounds, Alison is determined to help other women understand that breast cancer survivors and those at high risk for breast cancer face higher risks of developing melanoma as both can share genetic and environmental triggers. In fact, women who have, or have had, breast cancer will also have up to 2.5 times the risk of developing melanoma. Knowing her history, Alison is also on high watch for other cancers including pancreatic and ovarian cancer, as well as melanoma.
She recommends that everyone over 18, especially those with a genetic or family history of breast cancer, schedule annual Total-Body Skin Cancer Exams. Those at high risk for breast cancer should start screening early, with mammograms beginning at age 30 (or even earlier depending on physician guidance).
Alison’s grandmothers lived to104 and 98. Yet, one of her grandma’s sisters had breast cancer and her brother had pancreatic cancer. “You can’t take anything for granted. Make these vital screenings a part of your self-care routine. Prevention is power.”
Living Fully and Giving Back
Now healthy, Alison is thriving. She and her husband welcomed a child just six months after her surgery. They enjoy hiking, traveling, and spending time together.
“I’m grateful every day,” she says. “I’ve seen what late-stage cancer looks like with my own mom. Catching mine early changed everything. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping others do the same.” She plans to start her own children’s skin exams at age 15, to instill lifelong awareness.
Early Detection Saves Lives
“Early detection and regular Total-Body Skin Cancer Exams are essential,” said Alison. “They’re quick and the few minutes it takes to complete them can change everything. As a breast cancer survivor and skin specialist, I know how vital early detection is. Annual Total-Body Skin Cancer Exams can literally save your life.”
For more information, talk to your Dermatologist or dermatology clinician.
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