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Voice of college hockey raising cancer awareness

Posted at 11:42 PM, May 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-26 14:47:41-04

If you've attended a college hockey game, you may recognize the voice of Ken Landau.

Landau is the voice of the Colorado College Tigers. A 25-year broadcast veteran, Landau said he's seen it all.

“Every game presents a completely different scenario,” he said.

But what he didn't see, was the subtle change in his skin.

“To me it kinda [sic] looked like just another freckle. I went in for an annual physical and my doctors said, ‘Let's get that checked out,’” he said.

It was melanoma, the most fatal form of skin cancer.

“There's a history of it in my family and the history isn't very good,” he said.

Ken's mother had died of the disease and suddenly, it was after him.

“I've always thought I was 10-feet-tall and bullet proof. Now I’ve had to deal with melanoma,” Landau said.

What started as a subtle spot, was soon a gaping hole. Landau underwent "Mohs" surgery at the University of Colorado Hospital. It's a technique that removes successive layers of skin until all cancer cells are eradicated.

“The only real downside to [surgery], missed the only two games I’ve ever missed in my broadcast career,” he said.

Four surgeries later, he is now cancer-free and said even if you spend most of your time inside or on the ice, getting an annual check-up is critical.

“If somehow I can help just one person, then what I’ve gone through is really not that big of a deal,” he said, “You know, I’m a hockey guy, so now I’m scarred up. I look like a hockey guy now.”

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