When you reach a certain age it is prudent to visit a dermatologist every 6 months for a full body scan.  

My dermatologist is Dr. Nancy Wolfin, in Great Neck, and not only is she a great doctor (she treated Bob Marley), but, extra bonus, she grew up in Long Beach and is a fellow diehard New York Ranger hockey fan. 

My regular full body scan occurred in mid June and, in preparation therefor, I took stock and had little to alert her to.  So I included a little pimple buried in my beard under my lip, which had been sitting there for more than a year.  

When I showed it to Nancy, she didn't like the look of it and took a slice for biopsy, which turned out to be basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer).  

I questioned what could have happened if I hadn't mentioned the little pimple and was told it could slowly grow into serious jaw bone cancer.  
MOHS Surgery was next on 7/12 and I'm healing, but I can't fully understand how a little pimple could mushroom into such a long scar (pictured).  

Considering the location, I do have the option of hiding the scar with a beard comb over or personifying a vivid "Scarface" nickname :)

Take away points: Shy away from the sun and wear lots of sun screen, long sleeves and a broad brim hat.

PS: And nothing is ever too small!