Squamous cell cancer, should we use a sunblock in the summer?

jbug2
jbug2 Member Posts: 73

Since squamous cell anal cancer is a skin cancer (correct?) and I've been told my anal cancer was from using a tanning bed for years, I'm wondering how to cope with activities in the sun.  My farmer brother wants me to spend days horseback riding, also to help bail hay (seriously!) by driving a truck for him.  I just purchased an SPF 80 sunblock, is that overkill?  Anyone?

I've always loved outdoor summer activities, running, walking, gardening, etc., now I find myself trying to hide from the sun!  I try to do everything outside before 10 am.  :(

Comments

  • Lorikat
    Lorikat Member Posts: 681 Member
    EVERYONE should use

    EVERYONE should use sunscreen!  On the other hand, I don't think anyone can say for sure what actually causes one persons cancer. I alo have squamous cell anal but located in the rectum.  Never ever used tanning beds, rode horses a lot as a young person but never standing on my head!  Ask your doctor but I would most likely slather on the sun screen and get on with living!

     

  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    Hi

    Hi - I never used a tanning bed (well, only once or twice) and I still got anal cancer. I wanted to (use a tanning bed, not get anal cancer Smile), cause I'm lily-white, but I hated getting into that thing. That's a new one - tanning beds causing anal cancer. Never heard that before, but then again, who knows what causes what. As to the sun, my dermotologist told me to, yes, use sunscreen, but certainly don't avoid the sun completely - she said to use common sense but don't dwell on it too much. Sounds like you've got it well in hand. I don't think we'll ever really know what caused the cancer for sure.

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    Sunscreen....

    I've never used a tanning bed and don't like them, but my daughters have all spent enough time/money in them in the past so I sure hope that is NOT the cause of anal cancer.

    Don't waste too much healthy energy stressing over the sun but DO use sunscreen. I also am outside a lot but living in Wisconsin don't get very long periods of extreme sunny warm weather. That being said, I do my gardening in the early am or early evening when its not too bad. I grew up in the age of baking our bodies for hours with only baby oil to get that golden tan......many of us now pay the price.  My dad was a golfer, on the course every day he could be there, so like a farmer, wide open areas with lots of sun. He has been treated twice now for skin cancer on his head and face. SPF higher the better is what I say now!!!! 

  • jbug2
    jbug2 Member Posts: 73
    eihtak said:

    Sunscreen....

    I've never used a tanning bed and don't like them, but my daughters have all spent enough time/money in them in the past so I sure hope that is NOT the cause of anal cancer.

    Don't waste too much healthy energy stressing over the sun but DO use sunscreen. I also am outside a lot but living in Wisconsin don't get very long periods of extreme sunny warm weather. That being said, I do my gardening in the early am or early evening when its not too bad. I grew up in the age of baking our bodies for hours with only baby oil to get that golden tan......many of us now pay the price.  My dad was a golfer, on the course every day he could be there, so like a farmer, wide open areas with lots of sun. He has been treated twice now for skin cancer on his head and face. SPF higher the better is what I say now!!!! 

    I recently had a mole removed

    I recently had a mole removed and the dermotologist drew my husband to the side while I was changing and asked if I had been using tanning beds, to which my husband agreed, yes, I did until until 2006 (nursing school taught me reasons why it is not safe, permanent skin changes).  The dermotologist told my husband that he had seen an "outburst" of anal cancer with those who use tanning beds.  I guess I'll continue to try to do my outdoor activities before 10 am and most likely after the sun starts to set in the evening.  I've never been one to use sunblock, more of the kind of girl to use the Coppertone lowest SPF 4 or 5, whatever is lowest, when lying in the sun for hours (my generation used the baby oil when tanning at the beach).  I guess it's time to get in the habit of using SUNBLOCK.

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    Sun Exposure

    I would suggest always wearing sunscreen when going outdoors.  As for the SPF of 80, you might want to do some research and see at what point SPF becomes ineffective.  Apparently there's a limit to it's effectiveness, according to reports I've heard recently.  Also, you might check into clothing that is made to help block the sun's rays, especially since it sounds like you will be outdoors a lot.  Long sleeves, long pants and a wide brim hat would be wise.  Supposedly, drinking tomato juice helps decrease the bad effects of the sun--I don't know that to be a fact, it's just what I've heard.  Also, sunscreen needs to be re-applied frequently, especially if you sweat heavily. 

    I have never used a tanning bed and still got anal cancer, so I'm not sure about what your doctor told you.  Bottom line, everyone, whether they have a history of any type of cancer or not, should use sunscreen!

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    Well, that's a new one!
    Never heard that one before. I grew up at the ocean and hit the beach every sunny summer day of my childhood! I never went bare bottomed! Hmmmm. I don't buy it.
  • LaCh
    LaCh Member Posts: 557
    Marynb said:

    Well, that's a new one!
    Never heard that one before. I grew up at the ocean and hit the beach every sunny summer day of my childhood! I never went bare bottomed! Hmmmm. I don't buy it.

    what caused it???

    I've never smoked, never drank, have eaten the Mediterranean diet before it was called the Mediterranean diet, never had HPV and never used a tanning bed. I also never use sunscreen and sit out in the sun for hours and days on end but since the tumor was located in a place where the sun don't shine, I don't think it was from that. So...and this is just my opinion folks, just my opinion.... sometimes there's just no knowing the why's of a thing. If one can learn to accept uncertainty and the inability to know the reasons, it can be a liberating thing.

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    LaCh said:

    what caused it???

    I've never smoked, never drank, have eaten the Mediterranean diet before it was called the Mediterranean diet, never had HPV and never used a tanning bed. I also never use sunscreen and sit out in the sun for hours and days on end but since the tumor was located in a place where the sun don't shine, I don't think it was from that. So...and this is just my opinion folks, just my opinion.... sometimes there's just no knowing the why's of a thing. If one can learn to accept uncertainty and the inability to know the reasons, it can be a liberating thing.

    LaCh

    Hope you smile when you read my response to your last sentence because its "just my opinion"..........AMEN!!

  • LaCh
    LaCh Member Posts: 557
    eihtak said:

    LaCh

    Hope you smile when you read my response to your last sentence because its "just my opinion"..........AMEN!!

    eihtak

    Hi eithtak...

    Sorry, can you say again?  Not sure I understand....  Do you mean that accepting  uncertainty is liberating but that's just my opinion?  

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    LaCh said:

    eihtak

    Hi eithtak...

    Sorry, can you say again?  Not sure I understand....  Do you mean that accepting  uncertainty is liberating but that's just my opinion?  

    Hi.....

    I just meant that accepting uncertainty and ok with not knowing the reasons of many things in life for me means belief in God and accepting that he has reasons ..... thus my 'Amen" ..... but I know your views are different than mine so just smile and be ok with each of us and our own opinions and I already know you are so ..... thats all. Hope you are well.

  • islandgirlculebra
    islandgirlculebra Member Posts: 155 Member
    Lorikat said:

    EVERYONE should use

    EVERYONE should use sunscreen!  On the other hand, I don't think anyone can say for sure what actually causes one persons cancer. I alo have squamous cell anal but located in the rectum.  Never ever used tanning beds, rode horses a lot as a young person but never standing on my head!  Ask your doctor but I would most likely slather on the sun screen and get on with living!

     

    Lorikat You Cracked Me Up

    We have something in common..... I rode horses back in my younger days but never standing on my head either with my butt exposed to the sun........ lol..........

  • LaCh
    LaCh Member Posts: 557
    eihtak said:

    Hi.....

    I just meant that accepting uncertainty and ok with not knowing the reasons of many things in life for me means belief in God and accepting that he has reasons ..... thus my 'Amen" ..... but I know your views are different than mine so just smile and be ok with each of us and our own opinions and I already know you are so ..... thats all. Hope you are well.

    eihtak

    be ok with each of us and our own opinions and I already know you are....

     

    yes, I am.