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

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!

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 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 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.

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 said:

LaCh

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

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?  

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!

 

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..........