But when she told people she had malignant melanomas - across her back in an area that now holds a 6-inch scar - she would get the look. A mild interest, followed by dismissal.
"When I was diagnosed, I felt like it wasn't a 'real' cancer, because people didn't react to me like I did when I was told the survival rate," Schilling said.
Skin cancer, however, can be deadly, killing over 10,500 people a year according to the American Cancer Society, and melanoma is among the most common cancers for both men and women.
Schilling's battle with cancer six years ago led to the creation of the SHADE Foundation of America, which promotes and funds skin cancer education and prevention. Together with her husband, Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, Shonda Schilling last week unveiled a new video, available through HealthiNation's video-on-demand cable network and Web site, that allows viewer to learn how to conduct skin self-exams.
"This is just another step, another brick in the legacy she's going to leave for all cancer patients," Curt Schilling said. "My wife took something that was incredibly terrifying...and turned it into something magical."
Before she was diagnosed with skin cancer, Schilling thought nothing of spending her days at the beach or tanning on the roof, slathering herself with oil to darken her fair skin. Back then, the only sunscreen available was "tanning lotion," with very little protection from ultraviolet rays.
"It was either burn, burn real bad, or burn your skin off," Schilling said.
Her husband was playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks when she started to notice something a little unusual: A spot on her back would burn and itch with even the slightest exposure to sun. Still, she delayed seeing her doctor, comfortably ignorant about the dangers of skin cancer.
The first time she heard the term "malignant melanoma" was from her doctor.
"I don't remember hearing any stories about people losing their life to skin cancer," Schilling said.
Melanomas, however, are deadly when left untreated: They can spread to vital organs and become life threatening. In Schilling's case, it took five surgeries to clear her melanomas, leaving 25 scars crisscrossing her back, arms, legs and chest.
In the video, Schilling introduces viewers to a step-by-step skin self exam, with the aid of a hand-held mirror. One fact may surprise people: The spot that contains a melanoma may not have actually been exposed to the sun, making it important to check the feet as well as areas commonly covered by bathing suits.
Checking for skin cancer monthly should become as much of a habit as breast cancer self-exams are for women, Schilling said.
"It's an awareness that gets us used to looking at our bodies," she said.
Locally, HealthiNation is carried through Comcast's On-Demand service. The short-format video can also be streamed on www.healthination.com and www.shadefoundation.org. A condensed version will be distributed on a DVD through physicians and promotional events.
"We're the straight-talking TV network and we're delivered on-demand so people can get information when they want it," said Raj Amin, CEO of HealthiNation.
Curt Schilling noted that skin cancer awareness has been a big issue with the Boston Red Sox, with players Mark Loretta and Derek Lowe both having had cancerous lesions removed.
"A lot of these guys are married, with kids, and that's why it's important to get the word out," he added.
The SHADE Foundation promotes education about sun safety in schools, something now mandated by the state of Arizona in grades K-8. It also gives grants to schools and community groups, provides information through its Web site and distributes information and public events around the country.
In the process, Schilling hopes it has changed habits. Drugstore shelves are now filled with products to minimize sun exposure, and most people seem to be getting the message that there is no such thing as a "healthy" tan.
"We went to Puerto Rico and most people think if they come back a few shades darker, they had a good time," Schilling said. "All the Schillings came back the same shade as when we left, and we had a very good time."
"My wife has saved people's lives, literally saved people's lives, and those are the people who change the world," Curt Schilling said. "And I'm married to one."
Contact Jennifer Lord at 508-626-3880 or jpaluzzi@cnc.com.
