Skin Cancer Alert

[ancient-one]

I realize that this has been the subject of previous threads but with summer coming on it is time to give serious thought to protecting yourself.
What I am saying pertains to all ages but is directed towards you young gals and guys. When I was young sunscreen was unknown and little thought was given to protection from damage caused by the sun. Even as the dangers became known many of us failed to take the necessary precautions. It wasn't until I suffered my first skin cancer that I seriously started with the sunscreen, wide brimmed hat and long sleeves.
It was then too late because the damage had been building for years. I have lost count of the number of skin cancers surgically removed. Just yesterday 5 were removed and 12 were frozen. I have lost part of my lower lip, had my nose split open and had melanoma on my forearm. Please take time to protect yourself and don't end up like me.

 

[zoom6zoom]

Yes, it's definitely something to take seriously. I lost my grandfather and my dad to melanoma.

 

[feralmerril]

Almost got me too.

 

[DeathGrip]

I saw a Canadian today that looked quite like a lobster.
It's crazy snow bird season.

 

[bamabiker]

Thank you ancient-one for the words of wisdom.
Thank you feralmerril, a picture is worth a 1000 words.
We should all take this seriously.

 

[feralmerril]

That one was just to get your attention and scare you into takeing care of yourself. This one is after I healed up. When I was a kid I worked in the fields with no hat. Those 65 cents a hour jobs wasnt quite as lucertive as I thought back then!

 

[sgvegaas]

I too am a dermatologists dream. I now use sun block everytime I leave the house, in fact I am going to the pool today with my wife, but I will sit under shade.

 

[HGWT]

I too had to much fun in the sun, I've have many cancer spots remove from my body. The one that scared me the most was a cancer cell that had to be removed from my scalp. When they got done removing it, which was the size of a pencil eraser I had a hole the size of a silver dollar all the why to my skull. It took 6mos to heal. I wear sunscreen all year long.

 

[feralmerril]

My first indication was just a blem on my nose that wouldnt heal in 1985. Had it removed and about every year or two another would show on the edge. Well over a dozzen proceedueres. Each time they claimed they had it, not to worry, it wouldnt be fatal. In 2007 they gave me two months to two years if I didnt get the nose removed. Doctor said there is openings into the skull where the cancer was close to and it would quickly enter the brain if I didnt get it taken care of. Had I not been freshly remarried I probley wouldnt have got it done and would have just taken my chances. It was far harder on my wife than me, haveing to nurse me and look at it.
Old negligent habits are hard to break. I am supposed to wear a hat and use sun screen but still forget to most of the time.
I am okay now. Hey, how many other people have to shave their nose?

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Merrill; I worked for Ma Bell in Calif. 38 years. Lineman, splicer, installer & repair Tech. Climbed poles & strung wire all over the place. Because Calif. gets a lot of sun I wore a cowboy had because I'm bald. Always a long sleeved shirt when I climbed but couls roll up the sleeves when I needed to. I'm glad of that now at my age without Melenoma problems. Live on the Oregon Coast where we don't get much sun but still wear a hat. Just was notified a classmate in L.A. just passed because of cancer of the nose got into his brain.

 

[deanodog]

I worked as a lineman/serviceman for a electric co. I have had to have several spots frozen off my face ands some of them are coming back. Another trip to the skin specialist is in order.

 

[cincinnatijim]

I wouldn't wear a hat or sunscreen when I was younger in the Texas and New Mexico sunshine. I finally wear hats and clothing with sunscreen protection. This after hundreds of actinic keratoses, a few non-lethal cancers, and a malignant melanoma (successfully removed) I think maybe I should have paid attention to good advice.

 

[feralmerril]

For the most part I think the damage is done at a early age. I worked outdoors in the sun up until I was 25 years old. After that I done 33 out of 35 years on graveyard as a guard. I did work a lot of OT durring the day though after my midnight to 8am shift. The first problem didnt start until I was about 45 years old, then I fought it for another 20 years untill they cut my nose off three years ago. The pattern was get a small piece of skin cut off, heal good, a few months later it would show up again, I would do nothing hopeing it would heal itself, and it might temporarely, then it again wouldnt fully heal. I finaly would go again and get it taken care of. I had at least a dozzen surgerys in those 20 years. They always told me it couldnt be fatal untill my last go-around. The doctor said there is holes in the skull and I was right at one, and it would go through the hole to the brain if I didnt take care of it right then. I am okay now.

 

[ace22]

one of my best friends died 3 years ago from melanoma. i've had a basil (spelling?) cell and a couple bumps removed from my ears. i admit that i still like being out in the sunshine though.