Hondo ?

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Fire34
Fire34 Member Posts: 365
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hondo
I figured since you work outside a lot you might be able to answer this best. I was told now that I have finished treatment that I will have to be careful out in the sun. Especially those areas radiated. How do you go about that? If you were told the same thing. My wife & I are getting the highsest spf we can find, and I am starting to wear wide brimmed hats.
I have just had a friend get treated for melonoma and that scares you a little and I definetly dont want to go thru anything like this again.
Dave

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  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #2
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    Hi Dave
    That is very true for the first few years after treatment to the affected area where you had the radiation, however the Sun is also good for you because your body absorbs vitamin D from sun light. I work a lot outside and travel out side the US a lot, so I had the big sombrero that I would wear to keep the sun off my face and neck but would let my hands and arms soak in the sun light a little each day. I am better then 5 years now passed treatment and don’t wear anything except a base ball cap to cover my ugly head.

    I understand the being afraid of getting cancer again as I had it 3 times between 2002 and 2006, what I done was to change my life style and keep my immune system strong to fight off the cancer we all have.

    Thanks for being a friend and for being a friend to my friend Chefdaddy when you called him the other day it really cheered him up a lot, all the best to you
  • Scambuster
    Scambuster Member Posts: 973
    #3
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    Hondo said:

    Hi Dave
    That is very true for the first few years after treatment to the affected area where you had the radiation, however the Sun is also good for you because your body absorbs vitamin D from sun light. I work a lot outside and travel out side the US a lot, so I had the big sombrero that I would wear to keep the sun off my face and neck but would let my hands and arms soak in the sun light a little each day. I am better then 5 years now passed treatment and don’t wear anything except a base ball cap to cover my ugly head.

    I understand the being afraid of getting cancer again as I had it 3 times between 2002 and 2006, what I done was to change my life style and keep my immune system strong to fight off the cancer we all have.

    Thanks for being a friend and for being a friend to my friend Chefdaddy when you called him the other day it really cheered him up a lot, all the best to you

    Sun and Skin Cancer
    HI Dave,

    Excuse me chiming in here but as someone who has had 100's of precancerous bits burnt or cut of me over the years, I have some experience. Firstly, the sensitivity to sun 'post treatment' is a short term thing. i.e. be careful for a month or so, then you can resume you normal exposure as previously done.

    Now saying that, as you know, much depends on your skin color. I am very fair so I have to be extra careful and use high SPF, hats, long sleeves etc. As we say in Australia, "No Suntan is a good suntan" (at least that's the in ad by the Skin Cancer Prevention Foundation).

    All exposure to the sun does some damage but a lot depends on your color and previous exposure. Most of you Northern hemi-sphere dwellers have had no where near what the average Aussie gets in their lifetime, hence the incidence of skin cancer is very high down under in comparison. Hondo is corect in saying we do need a bit of sun for the Vit D. 10-15 minutes a day is sufficient for this. If you are concerned, get your GP or a Skin Cancer Doc to check you every 6 mths to a year. They should do a thorough check for moles, flakey bits, and any abnormality. You can also check for any changes in such legions.

    I get checked 6-12 mthly and due to overexposure as a kid, alway get Solar Keratosis and occassionally a BCC or an SCC burnt off with gas or frozen and dug out or excised.If you live in the northern states of the US you are probably fine and just take it easy and don't overdo the exposure. Just be sensible but certainly don't live in fear. We've had enough of that !

    Cheers

    Scambuster

    PS NOTE TO ALL: If you ever have a suspect mole which is concerns you, get a 2nd opinion. Most Nth HemisSphere Doctors are not that experienced with Melanoma. If you every do get a Melanoma or one they not sure about, ensure they 'radicalize' it NOT a regular excision. Very important.

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