Skin cancer's secrets unveiled

news.com.au ^ | May 8, 2003 | World exclusive by Jen Kelly

[CDHart]

"Now, of course, we know that sun lamps can cause cancer!"

Hindsight's a wonderful thing, isn't it? Makes you wonder what else that's supposed to be OK will later turn out to be harmful.

Carolyn

[upchuck]

As someone who has been fighting skin cancer for the last 30 years, I can tell you melanoma is not to be taken lightly! ANY change in your skin should be examined by a dermatologist pronto.

My Dr. has me on a three month recall and he still occasionally has trouble staying ahead of the skin cancers.

Oh, and...

Stay out the tanning booths!!

[luckodeirish]

I survived a melanoma thanks to a dermotologist who saw just what the article mentions, a small pimple like thingy that I thought nothing of. Surgery, zap of radiation. No more sun for me though, but my skin is happy and undamaged. I swear some of these tanners look like they are wearing a leather coat.

[luckodeirish]

I see you have gotten good replies to your question, but let me add that a friend of mine, a black guy, died a number of years ago, from a melanoma on his foot. My doc says many "people of color" get melanoma cause they sort of assume they won't get damage.

[Doomonyou]

Personally, I'm melanin-challenged (the result of my ancestors being cave-dwelling Troglodytes and Irishmen) and Mister SunBlock is my gooood buddy, even in Seattle.

Ditto, too much Irish and not enough Am. Indian. Twice I've had chunks of meat cut out (Thigh and neck), fortunately it was basal cell and not melanoma. Still, Mr. Sun is not my friend anymore, and Mr. SPF 50 is my co-pilot.

[Warren]

Only wimps use sunblock!!!
I NEVER use sunblock. Then again, I never stay in sun for longer then absolutely necessary.

[rmlew]

Must make appointment with Dermatologist.
I have both acne and irregularly shaped freckles. Eek!

[MainFrame65]

Another fair-skinned squamous cell survivor here. I had one removed from my left cheek, just in front of my ear, under local anesthetic a few years ago. It was not painful except for the initial shot, but very bloody, and since I couldn't wash around the stitches for a week, my hearing was impaired by the blood in my ear until I could take a shower.

No more cancers since then, but I see a dermatologist annually, and generally have 10 or more actinic keratoses (pre-cancerous) treated with liquid nitrogen each time.

[serinde]

I would like more info on skin tags, also. My doctor also says they're nothing to worry about. But there is a major history of skin cancer in my family and I wonder about the tags.

[alwaysconservative]

I do NOT think the things called "skin tags" are the problem. My mom has been having those removed for most of her 83 cancer-free years, from her face, neck, and chest. It's those raised, pearly, "pimple-like" things that are worrying me, and maybe I should make an appointment and get them checked. I've had my share of sunning in the past. Has anyone seen a picture of what they're talking about?

[Freee-dame]

bump

[nutmeg]

bttt

[MichaelDammit]

I too dodged a melanoma bullet in 2001.....big one on my back, one positive lymph node in my armpit....all of which are now removed....

The biggest pain was the yearlong chemo (most of 2002) with INTERFERON (makes you feel like you have a perpetual hangover).

Now finally getting back into the real world.

This is no joke folks. One in 70 get it. Risk factors are red hair, freckles, light skin, moles, sun lamps, and severe sunburns when you were a kid. If you are over 30 and have never been to a dermatologist, PLEASE GO IN, just once for at least a background check.

[budwiesest]

As kids we used to peel the dead skin off each other's backs to see who could get the biggest piece. The only protection most folks used back then was a white zinc cream on noses which looked real cool (not).

Also heard that sunscreen needs to be fresh to work at full strength (less than a yr. old if it's been opened).

[Dianna]

Has anyone seen a picture of what they're talking about?

There are links on this thread, and from looking at the pictures I see nothing of what you describe. I also have a small lump, not discolored (most of the photos showed red/brown/black spots), that my dermatologist has said is ok.

When in doubt FIND A DR! I had several moles removed a couple of years ago (I am 33) which were undergoing some change but not cancer. They were found during a routine physical. I now get checked every year so that any changes can be detected early.

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

I went where the article said here and the pimple like small skin cancer mostly spoken about in the article is not pictured.

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

Yep, and the macho men that say this get skin cancer. Farmers, especially.

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

So More Are Aware

[alwaysconservative]

Thanks! I posted my note before I read the posts with the links. Sigh. If I could just restrain myself sometimes and read ALL the posts before putting in my two cents' worth, I wouldn't ask so many dumb questions!

The pics WERE very reassuring, but I still think I'm going in to see the doctor, just in case.

Again, thanks!

[BA63]

I had the "Carrick" (spelling probably off) Cream I had to use for keratoses for a week. Swelled up my arms and turned them orange. Plenty of Nitrogen Blasts for the more stubborn spots.

They actually had to put me under General, that is a weird experience. They gave me some meds to calm me down prior to the surgery, WOW, they have some great medicine. I usually don't take anything stronger than a BC powder.

As soon as they see me walk through the door they break out the Cold Jets, I know what you mean. Stay on top of it! I have become a walking advertisement for Dermatologists nowadays and preach constantly. The only good thing about skin cancer is that it is totally correctable if caught in time.