Melanoma Means Better Sun Protection

Now that I’ve had a melanoma removed, I’ve developed a new interest in sun-protective clothing, sunscreen, and other ways to guard my skin from the sun.

Of course I’m also aware that, at age 52, most of the damage to my pale, freckled skin has already been done. No matter what I do now, new melanomas and other skin cancers may well pop up in the near future.

That’s why I’ll be seeing my dermatologist every three months for a full-body check.

This doesn’t mean I don’t step outside unless I’m wrapped head-to-toe in a burkha, complete with sunglasses and a parasol, I still need a little bit of sun exposure in order for my body to make vitamin D, and my dermatologist agrees that I don’t need all the cover-ups unless I am in danger of a burn.

Still, I predict that for many Americans who have been casual about sun exposure in the past, this will be the summer of special protective clothing, more careful reading of sunscreen labels, and a new interest in self-tanners, which give a glow without the skin damage.

Oh, yeah, one more thing: I asked my friend Teresa, the Cheeky Librarian, who has done a truck-load of research on sunscreen and related topics on my behalf, to write a post on why she has to avoid the sun, post-cancer treatment.

Teresa also reminded me that people who have had radiation therapy are supposed to avoid sun exposure to the radiated area. Now, I've had radiation therapy three times (chest, upper right arm, and spine), and I don't recall any of my doctors telling me to stay out of the sun. Go to Teresa's post for the documentation on this one.

The reason there is a Ninja Librarian

Also, if you are on chemo, ask your doctor if you should be extra careful about sun exposure. Some types of chemotherapy make your skin especially sensitive.

Self-Tanners--a Safe Alternative to the Sun

Sunscreen and Rising Melanoma Rates

Melanoma Madness: Tanning Beds

Melanoma Girl Buys THE SHIRT

More to come.

@ Jeanne Sather 2007.

Comments

[Katrina]

Thanks for posting all the melanoma info.

Last year, after my husband's diagnosis, I used the self tanner. This year I embrace my pale skin. I've adjusted to the idea. I'm certainly not a freak about it, vitamin D and all, but I don't garden in the high sun hours and I always wear sun screen on my face. I've never burned, but I already notice at 33 that I have fewer wrinkles than my friends. HAH!

[Jeanne]

You are welcome. I think I have more to come on melanoma--Teresa found a LOT of info for me.

The self-tanner is fun, as I've never used it before, but pale skin is good too.

[carver]

Hello,

I am a stage III melanoma survivor and the sun safety issue is pretty confusing. I am more concerned about metastatic melanoma than I am about having another primary since I was node positive and my primary was deep but I have protected my skin since my diagnosis in 2005. I have fairly dark skin for a caucasian and few moles so I'm not typical of what I thought would put me at risk for skin cancer.

A few months after my groin lymph node dissection I ended up with balance issues which continued to get worse and made me fear CNS involvement. Turned out I had a vitamin D deficiency. Go figure. I mention that because I think it's important to get at a little bit of sun exposure or to take suppliments when changing habits. I have read that it doesn't take much sun exposure to get the necessary vitamin D. It has taken close to a year to get my vitamin D up after it dropped so low. At first I was on prescription vitamin D and recently I do also get out in the sun without suncreen but not for long periods of time and not in the hottest part of the day.

I just found your blog and I love the idea of encouraging cancer patients to blog. It has been therapeudic for me.

Best wishes, Carver

[Jeanne]

Carver--thanks for writing. I'm not going nuts on staying out of the sun, because I knew about the vitamin D thing. But you're right--it's hard to know.

I've had so many issues come up during the years I've been living with cancer that there was no clear answer to. So I'd play the experts off against each other until I thought I had enough info and then I'd make a decision. And sometimes change it later.

I haven't seen your blog yet, but I will take a look at it.

Jeanne