Sun Screen or Skin Cancer?

[zcaveman]

Sun Screen or Skin Cancer? Take your pick!! This is not to disturb or upset you but to give you an option.

I was raised in Florida - no shirt or only a tank top. I moved to New Jersey in 1976 and returned to TV in 2001. I went back to tank tops and short sleeved shirts. I play golf six days a week. No sun screen for me!! Hell - I was raised here!!

Well now I am in a bit of a bind. My forearm starting itching and I had a spot that got a little ugly. My head and temples also starting itching. I decided to visit my dermatologist that had burnt off some old spots. After two biopsies, it was determined that I have a basal and a squamus (not good) cancer spot that have to be cut out. I am also being treated for some pre-cancer type cells (actinic keratoses) on my forehead, scalp, ears and cheeks with a salve that kills the pre-cancer type cells. I am undergoing the salve treatment as you read this and it is not pretty. I am starting to get red spots where the salve is finding the pre-cancer areas. It is supposed to get worse. Itches like heck now.

I am getting the cancer on my forearm cut out on June 26. I will be getting the one on my shoulder cut out on July 7. These will be three to four inch cuts to prevent scarring and to make sure it gets all of the cancer. If it doesn't, there will be radiation treatments.

According to the dermatologist, the salve will make my skin sensitive to the sun and after I get the operations I cannot play golf until the stitches are out since they might tear. So I am out of golf and most outside activities for at least six weeks.

So that this does not happen to you, go out and buy some 30 power sun screen and use it when you play golf or any other outside activities. I know that it is an aggravation to apply it but it does help.

[Rokinronda]

zcave, I'm so sorry to hear this. You are in my prayers for a speedy and complete recovery. I am from RI. Love the beach, am fair skinned, burn easily, but have worn sunscreen for as long as it has been on the market. My hub is italian with a dark complexion. Years ago (hole in ozone?)he started to get sunburn and has worn sunscreen daily since. I think the suns rays are stronger and more harmful then when we were young. I slathered it on my kids and they still use it. I always use an umbrella when at the beach and prefer shade. This does not mean we will not get cancer, but hopefully taking a precaution will help to prevent it. I see people lay in the sun for hours for a tan. Most have deep wrinkles and are certainly more prone to skin disease. Your warning is welcome and I hope people listen. Ask the Dr. if benadryl will help the itch. Thanks for sharing and I wish you well. You will have many prayers coming your way. Take care! If you need anything, just ask.

[Mikitv]

Sorry to hear about this but in my prayers.

I have used sunscreen for years, burn, rash etc. I know use a 55 Aveeno brand and it works great.

[KathieI]

Z, I am so sorry, good luck with all your treatments and surgery. I hope and pray for a speedy recovery. I've been one of those that's been screaming from the rafters for years about using sunscreen. I'm now up to 85 SPF I think it is, Neutrogena has just come out with this high level SPF and I think its wonderful. Unfortunately, it needs to be reapplied often to be sure it is working, but its well worth it.

Being in the cosmetic industry, I think I've been using sunscreen since the mid-70's and I haven't been much of a "sunworshiper" since then anyway. Although I am Italian, I am very fair haired and light skinned with freckles, totally prone to skin cancer.

Lately, and I think I've posted this once before, something new we must be considering, is wearing sunglasses 100% of the time in the sun. I have 2 friends now who have been diagnosed with cancer of the retina, a cancer that is extremely serious and for one friend, it was too late for her.

My Dad is 92 and he loves to walk, and I supply him with tons of tubes of sunscreen and force him to use it every day, two or three times a day if necessary.

Take care, Z, we'll be praying for you. Kathie

[Sidney Lanier]

Z, good luck to you! Listen to the doctor!!!

I myself am a Clark's level 3 melanoma survivor (1992), and believe me I listen to my surgical oncologist; she 'yelled' at me once because I showed a 'tan line' under my watchband! I explained to her that it came from driving, but that didn't stop her from reminding me of the consequences of any sun at all! Remember, when we were kids our parents told us, 'Go play in the sun; it's good for you.' Little did they know, as well as the fact that in even as little time as a few decades, the sun's rays reaching us may be even more harmful than when we were little because of environmental issues.

My ophthalmologist once told me a story of another patient of his whom he treated for melanoma of the retina when she was in her 20s. It recurred 42 years later (!) and killed her. The bottom line: The sun is no joke!!! And especially here in Florida!

BTW, for the itch you might want to try a hydrocortisone cream that you can buy over the counter at any pharmacy; it's strictly topical and it does help, though again the suggestion is to use it sparingly and only when absolutely needed.

[beady]

Z...
I will be sending good and positive thoughts to you for a full recovery from surgery.

I hope people will heed your advise and use sunscreen and sunglasses.

We spent 12 years in the Caribbean on the water. My opthamologist warned me about eye damage and insisted I wear wrap- around sun glasses, to prevent sunlight coming in from the top and side of the glasses. I wore very dark lenses in a glacier style sunglass.
Sunscreen was more like body lotion ,I swear we went through barrels of it. It payed off,hubby and I recently were at the dermatologist and we both had a good report. :) :)

[jmarkohio]

I was recently told that some Floridians go to the a dermatologist yearly as a preventative measure. May be a good idea!

[ejp52]

Best of lucky zcaveman ,glad you caught it and your doctor has a plan of action.
Positive thoughts your way.
Can you recommend your dermatologist? Thanks.

[SteveFromNY]

Good luck Z. Hope the treatment is complete. I too was tougher than the sun, but fortunately was only diagnosed with basil cell a few years ago. Squamous isn't so good - so take care of it and stay out of the sun.

[redwitch]

Skin cancers are no fun. I hope all goes well.

Like Sidney, I'm a melanoma survivor (1995 for me). I know that if my oncologist could see me right now, he'd be screaming. Even with sunscreen applied liberally and diligently, I have managed to get some sun which has developed into a very lovely tan since moving here. It looks great, but it concerns me. (At least none of it has come from a burn.)

[zcaveman]

Best of lucky zcaveman ,glad you caught it and your doctor has a plan of action.
Positive thoughts your way.
Can you recommend your dermatologist? Thanks.


My dermatologist is Dr Behringer in Ocala. I started with him a few years ago because he was the only one that was under my health insurance umbrella.

I hear that Dr Tran in the Villages is a good dermatologist.

[TomW]

Z, good luck with your treatments. I had some basil sites removed a couple of years ago with good results so far. I wanted to mention to everyone that a recent study I read (consumer Reports, I think) found that the SPF ratings are incorrect on most sun products and the actual protection may only be half or less of the claimed SPF level. So we may not be as protected as we believe we are.

[nanci2539]

My dermatologist told me that Aveda 55 SPF is the best way to go in the FLA sun.

Z, I know a few folks with your type of skin cancer and after treatment, they are just fine. So, listen to the doctor, follow the marching orders and you'll be okay!

[Mermaid]

Ya'll..........buy 60 SPF and be sure it's sweat proof! And stay out of the sun after 11. am. if you can!!

Another FLA gal....Mermaid

[Rokinronda]

zcaveman, How are you doing? ??? Just thinking of you.

[zcaveman]

I made it through the Efudex treatment. Efudex is not fun. It is a chemical burn of the nth degree. They say you will feel pain but they don't say excruciating pain and itching. Hydrocortisone took care of the pain and itching. And then you peel like a sunburn. I am still waiting for the redness and remaining hot spots to go away.

I had the squamus cyst(?) cut out on 6/27. Now I have about a 3 inch stitched area on my forearm. The basal cyst on my shoulder will be done on 7/7. I still don't know the status of one they cut out on the forearm. I haven't heard from pathology yet. Hopefully since they did not call it wasn't malignant. I am going to call tomorrow for the status.

Thanks for asking.

[nONIE]

Z,

Wishing you good luck tomorrow when you call. Waiting for results can be positively nerve wracking.

[Laura]

TO Z - not trying to be nosy, but how old were you when this started? And how old are you now? I have a friend who simply will not take the seriousness of the deadly Florida sun. I am trying to help her.
Thanks for your reply.

[mcelheny]

I really wish the Villages had more indoor pools and more indoor exercise equipment for people who cannot be out in the sun.

Thinking of you Z. Good luck.

[zcaveman]

TO Z - not trying to be nosy, but how old were you when this started? And how old are you now? I have a friend who simply will not take the seriousness of the deadly Florida sun. I am trying to help her.
Thanks for your reply.


The doctor said that it started when I was young. I grew up in Jax, Florida. No shirt, no shoes, etc. Typical southern boy. Used baby oil for suntan lotion. Starting in the 60s I started wearing a ball cap full time. I am now in my 60s. And it is catching up. I will have to start wearing the sunscreen and stand in the shade more often.

[gemorc]

I have only been here for six months. Up in Michigan, the sun was also very bad for your skin. I started wearing long sleeve cotton polo's, for golf, along with linen pants two years ago. I have received many stares and comments about how hot I must be. I don't find it very uncomfortable at all. My standard reply to their comments is, " how many Arabs do you see in the desert wearing shorts and short sleeves?"

[zcaveman]

I got the results - finally!! They got it all and I am clear on the forearm. Monday is the basal cyst on my shoulder. As you can tell from my notes I do not call it cancer but I call it a cyst. My wife who had throat cancer keeps trying to correct me.

[travelstiles]

So happy that your news was good. Thank you for starting this thread, as it reminds us to pay attention to what we are being told about too much sun.
Regarding an earlier post, I also wish there were some indoor pools here (included with our amenity fees). In Arizona the communities have tarp-like shades posted high above the pools so there is ample shade all day. It's a thought for the future.

[zcaveman]

Thanks. that was why I started it . Just to let people know about sunscreen and the dangers of the sun rays. I know that the Springdale pool put screens over the sitting area. But I know of no plans to cover the pool area.

[gfmucci]

Cave:

I went through the same treatments as you...first the melenoma removed from my forearm, the the Efodex (sp?) treatments for a few weeks. And then yearly chest x rays and an occusional MRI brain scan. The two places melenoma like to travel to are the lungs and the brain. I've been clear for about 9 years now.

Second point...ask your dermatologist about the recent success of the intected culture that kills melenoma cells. This was in the news a couple of weeks ago.

[bestmickey]

Z, glad to read the good results! Great post too. I had my first basal cell removed when I was only 30. I had a few sites of basal cell over the years, but I'm lucky in that none have been within the past ~10 years. After that first one at 30, I learned my lesson and have stayed pretty well covered from the sun since.

[Niels]

I got the results - finally!! They got it all and I am clear on the forearm. Monday is the basal cyst on my shoulder. As you can tell from my notes I do not call it cancer but I call it a cyst. My wife who had throat cancer keeps trying to correct me.


Glad to hear that everything is good with your forearm, zcaveman. Hope everything turns out well with your cyst too.

Your post is an important reminder to people concerning use of sunblock, especially for people not used to the Florida sun. I have very fair skin so I always use a sunblock with an SPF of at least 50 when I visit Florida. When I move to Florida, I'll have to stock up on a lot of sunblock.

[zcaveman]

Final report. I had the last of the stitches out today and both cancers were clean. The doctor froze four small spots on my arm and said I am good until next July.

I should be back to golf next week. And I will be wearing my sunscreen and full brimmed hat.

Thanks for all the prayers.

Z

[Shirleevee]

Great news!


For medical reasons, I cannot be exposed to the sun. Here is a list of sun protective clothing websites I have bought various items from:

www.coolibar.com

www.solumbra.com

www.solartex.com

All sell products that block 97% of UV RAYS.

The clothing is pricey and recently, I found another alternative. It is call Sunguard and you wash your own clothing with it. I think this product blocks 95% UV RAYS. The website is:

www.sunguardsunprotection.com

Wishing you good health.

Shirleevee

[KathieI]

Z, so happy to hear your news. Congratulations, good work....

but listen to Shirl, I know other people who wear the special clothing in Los Angeles and it works very well. You must wear long sleeves as well. I used to garden in the high desert of LA and always wore long sleeves and it never ceased to amaze me that I would still get freckles on my arms even through the sleeves. Sunglass are a must as well.

Keep up the good work. This is a second chance. Please be careful.

[punkpup]

Z I'm so glad you are OK!!!!

Everyone here is absolutely correct in saying that sunblock (at least 30 SPF), hats, sunglasses and long sleeves and long pants are essential to protecting yourself from the harmful UVA & UVB rays emitted by the sun.

As you can see from my avatar I have a fair amount of what Dr.'s refer to as "Pigmentary Protection" but I let that fool me into a false sense of security. My mother used to be the office manager for a dermatologist. In 1983 I went to visit her after moving back to San Francisco from Palm Springs and she freaked out. She immediately put me in an exam room. The Dr. gave me a thorough exam and then removed 4 suspicious blemishes/growths from my back. I have been extremely cautious about the sun ever since.

Although skin cancer is extremely rare in African-Americans, that one incident was enough to scare me!!!

Skin cancer exams by a dermatologist on a yearly basis and monthly personal checks should become routine.

[Rokinronda]

I am behind in my reading and just saw this new news!! I want to say I am thrilled for you!! :bigthumbsup: Prayers answered!! wooohooooo