If you could do it over again?

chas036 · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:21 am Post subject: If you could do it over again?

I am 57 and was diagnosed with basil cell skin cancer on my cheek in Apr 2007 and had it removed with complete success. My first question after getting this was why me? Since about the age of 28 or 29, I have been very anti-sun and never layed out in the sun trying to get a tan. Not because of skin cancer, I never really thought about that. My primary fear of the sun was more due to vanity because I didn't want wrinkles or leathery skin. I remember seeing my uncle when I was a kid and he was 45 but he looked like he was 75 because he had so many wrinkles from over exposure to the sun and I remember I didn't want to look like him, so I avoided the sun at all costs. When I had to be in the sun, I would coat my face and arms in sun block. When I would go to the beach, I would always wear a shirt and when not in the water , I would be under an umbrella. I was and still am a fanatic about not being in the sun. That is why it was such a shock to me getting skin cancer.

I do have to admit that prior to 28, I did go to the beach a lot and I did lay in the sun from time to time tring to get a tan, but not a lot. I suspect that my cancer probably came from my childhood when I do remember playing outside a lot and getting sun burns at various times in my young life.

If I had it to do over again, I would probably start avoiding the sun at all costs from my early teen years rathr than waiting till I was 28.

My question here is, knowing what you all know now about cancer , and your experiences with skin cancer, if you could go back in time, would you avoid the the sun and getting a tan and avoid going to tanning booths? What do you tell your kids about going to tanning salons?
_________________
Biospy 4/2007 - 2/12 <%5 Cancer Gleason 6
RP 9/25/2007 Uni Rochester, NY
Gleason 6, Negative Margins

brainman

There is a type of melanoma that is not caused by the sun. There is a genetics test to tell the difference between them.

There is no way to totally avoid the sun. I tell people to not use tanning bed and to use sun block but I know that most will not listen. It is so hard in a culture that emphasizes physical beauty as a tan skin to convince young people to stay out of the sun.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Trvlr70

Without doubt, I would do things differently now. From the time I was in college[17] to age 38, I tried to keep a base tan. This was accomplished via tanning beds or laying out. I remember being around age 13 when my step-grandparent asked me if I didn't participate in sports because I was so pale. Her biological grandkids all had robust, olive skin but I was almost sickly looking in her opinion because of my paleness. At that point, I became increasing self-concious about my pale skin. With a tan, I felt "healthier" and more attractive. As a result, I did my best to keep a year-round tan.

In hindsight, I can now see how I've probably destroyed my skin and possibly even my eyes.

I'm terrified of getting a melanoma because I have had some severe, blistering sunburns and just abnormally extensive UV exposure. I'm living in fear.

RacerX · Regular Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 20

[quote="chas036"]
My question here is, knowing what you all know now about cancer , and your experiences with skin cancer, if you could go back in time, would you avoid the the sun and getting a tan and avoid going to tanning booths? What do you tell your kids about going to tanning salons?[/quote]

I woudln't do anything different. I'm 36.. dx'ed this past april. As a kid, I used to go to the beach.. I don't recall getting burned where I'd blister... but I got plenty of sun.

Would I use a tanning bed? No.. and I wouldn't suggest others use them either. But the fact of the matter is that no matter what we do, there is no guarantee that our actions would prevent, or cause, melanoma. If it was due to UV, then everyone would get it at some point in their lives, but that's not the case.

Even now.. I don't avoid going outside... I still go to the beach and swim... I go hiking.. I ride my cycle.. I'm not going to hide in a cave. That's not living... that's just waiting to die.

I am more ticked off at the big companies that have cause so much pollution in the air that the various layers no longer offer enough protection. Humans were not made to hide from the sun....

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