Sun Sensitivity?

JanJan63

We're having unseasonably warm weather here and I got a sunburn this past weekend. Not a bad one, just very red, sensitive skin and a nose like Rudolph the reindeer. It made me think of my aunt who passed away from bladder cancer after having beat breast cancer ten years before. She passed away 20 years ago so her treatment might not be what they use these days and breast cancer treatment is different from what we get but I remember her being sunsensitive for years after her treatments. Have any of you found that? I've never been able to take a lot of sun but this seems extreme. Maybe it's just not being outside hardly at all for the last two years, no idea.

Jan

LivinginNH

Hi Jan,
Yes, most definitely

Hi Jan,

Yes, most definitely - my Rick used to get burned on his nose and cheeks if he didn't wear sunscreen.  Here's a clip on Folfox and sun exposure and also the website for other side effects:

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancerinformation/cancertreatment/treatmenttypes/chemotherapy/combinationregimen/oxaliplatin5fu.aspx

Skin changes

Chemotherapy may affect your skin. Your doctor or nurse can tell you what to expect. If your skin feels dry, try using an unperfumed moisturising cream every day. During treatment and for several months afterwards, you'll be more sensitive to the sun and your skin may burn more easily than usual. You can still go out in the sun, but use a suncream with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, and cover up with clothing and a hat.

Trubrit

Radiation

Radiation also effects your skin, and I think it extends beyond treatment. 

I have been out of treatment for almost three years, and I truly believe that my skin is still extremely sensitive to the sun. I have to be very careful; but I do not wear sunscreen, just make sure I get enough sun to produce Vitamin D and then I cover up with linen or cotton and a hat - and that is my own personal choice, I am not saying nobody should wear sunscreen -

Sue

ron50

It is a problem

           I was warned when I was on 5fu that I was not to get too much sun exposure or I would pay dearly. Unfortunately I have been on similar agents for years. Methotrexate and cyclosporine carry the same risks of sun sensitivity  and the same risks of developing skin cancers. Anytime I am in the sun I wear sun block. The other thing that I have done is have six monthly skincancer checks. I have had a few removed . They do not freeze them off knowing my history , they cut them out. I had one on my face just under my eye. The doc thought it was just a standard basal cell carcinoma but he cut it out and when it was biopsied it turned out to be a micro nodular basal cell one of the few bccs that cand kill you. Apparently they dive deep into the nerves and are hard to stop once they take off. In the past six to eight weeks I have had a black spot develop on my cheek I am booked into the skincancer clinic next week. Skincancer is cancer and it can kill and it's major cause is skin damage from sun exosure. The is a slogan in Australia put out by the skin cancer council. Slip ,Slop ,Slap. Slip on a t shirt slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat all  good advice. Ron.

JanJan63

Thanks you guys. I am never

Thanks you guys. I am never out in the hot sun for long, I always have to wear a hat and cover up, so I guess nothing has changed. I'll be more careful next time.

Jan

Helen321

My doctor told me to 100%

My doctor told me to 100% stay out of the sun after radiation for at least 5 years and to especially cover my entire backside and lower back with sunscreen and clothes because not only will you burn faster, you risk skin cancer.  ( I don't remember if she mentioned Xeloda or Oxilaplatin but I distinctly remember radiation).

JanJan63

Thanks Helen! I always cover

Thanks Helen! I always cover my backside anyway, ha ha.

ron50

had my

Latest spot removed a couple of weeks back . My doc is pretty with it. He said it has come up and acts like a fast growing melanoma but I think it is a heavily pigmented nodular basal cell. He was right and he excised it with clear margins. Had abit of a scare with my liver functions rising rapidly on two blood tests a month apart. Had a liver ultrasound and no sign of any nasties. He also checked pancreas and kidneys , all ok . Two weeks ago I had an ultrasound of my heart after my legs and lungs filled with fluid. I have severe nephrotic syndrome of the kidneys but cyclosporine is holding the protein loss in check. The heart ultrasound was looking for congestive heart failure , there were some issues but no heart failure and nothing to cause oedema . same with the liver. My kidney specialist has no Idea why I am filling with fluid. My inflammatory markers are thru the roof . My treatment is if I put on any weight , go to 1 litre a day fluid intake and double diuretics till it drains and I am on prednisone as an anti inflammatory . the further I get from cancer the more I seem to suffer from it. Ron.

Trubrit

Helen321 said:

My doctor told me to 100%

My doctor told me to 100% stay out of the sun after radiation for at least 5 years and to especially cover my entire backside and lower back with sunscreen and clothes because not only will you burn faster, you risk skin cancer.  ( I don't remember if she mentioned Xeloda or Oxilaplatin but I distinctly remember radiation).

Mooning on a sunny day

After reading your comment, Helen, I called my Rad Onc and asked about the five year ban.  I LIVE outside, so I was vrey interested. 

He told me (and I understrand that they all differ in their opinions, so I'm not saying he is right and your RO is wrong) that you only need to keep your butt under cover, the rest of the skin would be fine.  We had a good laugh about the fact that I would quite happily sit in the sun totally naked, if I could find a place secluded enough to do so. 

So, mooning is out of the question for any of us who have had radiation on our rears. Well, at least for five years and then its fair game.

SUE

JanJan63

Oh Ron, you're the toughest

Oh Ron, you're the toughest person I know, both mentally and physically. You're a true testament to the will to live. I admire you so much. Thank you for responding.

Jan