BOSTON -- A girl is reaching out to others after a highly curable disease claimed her father's life. His life might have been saved if he went to the doctor sooner.

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Heather Unruh Reports On Family Resources American Cancer Society 2-For-1 Cancer Screenings Kenneth A. Arndt Skin Care Physicians of Chestnut Hill 1244 Boylston St. Suite 302 Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02467 (617) 731-1600 Skincare Physicians Jeffrey S. Dover Skincare Physicians of Chestnut Hill 1244 Boylston St., Suite 302 Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02467 (617) 848-1613 Skincare Physicians Te-Shao Jeffrey Hsu 1244 Boylston St., Suite 302 Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02467 Skincare Physicians

NewsCenter 5's Heather Unruh reported that Dana Sarnevitz, 42, lost his battle with melanoma and Janelle, 12, lost her loving father.

"I'm going to remember when I was little, going to the Swan Boats with him in Boston. All the times we spent together, because he was special, and I won't forget him ever," Janelle said.

There could have been more memories in Boston for the family if Dana had not put off having an irregular mole biopsied.

"With early diagnosis, we cure over 99 percent of melanomas -- that's something you cannot say for any other kind of cancer. But untreated, it virtually always spreads," said dermatologist Jeffrey Dover of Skincare Physicians.

Dover said areas of the body that have been sun-exposed and sunburned over the years are most susceptible to melanoma. You can prevent a tragedy by giving yourself skin exams and watching your moles so you'll know if they change.

A mole that looks asymmetrical, has irregular borders, varies in color, or has a diameter larger than a pencil eraser should be seen by a dermatologist, and right away if it itches, bleeds or changes shape. Melanomas occur most on the trunk for men, and on the legs for women. Both should watch for melanomas on the upper back. Melanomas can develop anywhere, including the sole of your foot, and your scalp.

"If you see a mole on your scalp that's changing, bleeding, gets caught in your comb, have it checked because it's so easy to prevent this, but it's very hard to treat once it's spread," said Dover.

More than 7,700 Americans will die this year from melanoma. Janelle wrote an award-winning essay warning about the dangers.

"Just remember that skin cancer can ruin your life," she read. "Leaving deep pain and many questions behind."

Janelle said she asked her father many questions before he died.

"Another question I asked was, 'Daddy, will you be at my wedding?' He said, 'I'm going to be there, whether it's in person or spirit,'" she said.

As part of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, several local physicians, including Dover, are offering 2-for-1 melanoma screenings, so you can bring a loved one with you to get screened.