PSA - Wear Sunscreen!

[bofa]

So, I was a kid of the 80s... always outside playing sports, at the pool, or at the beach. Sunscreen was never a priority and for the most part I didn't burn that much. I always figured I was just adapted. Those habits have continued into adulthood and I'm paying the price now.

About 2 months ago I was getting a hair cut and the lady noticed a spot on my head. I had it biopsied and it was found to be Basal cell skin cancer.

This past week I had to go in for Mohs surgery on my head. I now have a nickel sized hole, roughly 1/4" deep, on the crown of my head. I also have a nice shaved patch around that area to promote tape adhesion.

For those unfamiliar with Mohs it's an extended surgery to help remove all parts of the cancer in one visit. They basically cut a little.. test.. cut more.. rinse, repeat until all of the bad cells are gone. Throw in the smell of burning flesh for cauterizing blood vessels to get the full picture.

The fact that it was on my head makes it a little more brutal since they can't exactly close it up. The best option was to suture the rim of the hole to minimize the permanent, bald scar tissue that will eventually fill in. So for now, I get to fill that hole up with vaseline daily and wear a taped bandage on top. I've invested heavily in hats over the past month and will begin working on my comb-over technique.

BTW, don't goggle Mohs on a full stomach. The pictures are pretty terrifying and accurate. The whole ordeal was a bit Ray Liotta in Hannibal-ish.

Anyway, I'm not here to mope or complain. I'm thankful that it was caught and that there's a treatment. I just wanted to pass along to others. Wear sunscreen and take UV protection seriously.

 

[Sisente]

Great advice.... Glad it was caught in time for treatment.

 

[JBurt]

You buy two Jeeps and look what happens...

Just kidding. Glad you caught it when it was nickel sized. Hope that's it and you never have to deal with it again.

 

[bofa]

You buy two Jeeps and look what happens...

Just kidding. Glad you caught it when it was nickel sized. Hope that's it and you never have to deal with it again.

:lol: There is some irony that I'm dealing with this while awaiting my new Wrangler soft top to be built. I've already started buying SPF70 in bulk and ordered a UV shade screen for when the top is down.

 

[Mtn.Rush]

Wow I just googled MOHS And you were correct, pretty graphic. Best of luck to you, lather up with 150 spf and sell your 2 jeeps.

 

[LittleCaesar]

As long as you don't have a scar that rivals Gorbachev, you should be fine.

I went bald at 22 (36 now) and it has sucked having to put on sunscreen, so I have invested in many breathable hats to leave in the autos and boats. No cancer so far to speak of.

Timeline to be fully healed?

 

[bofa]

As long as you don't have a scar that rivals Gorbachev, you should be fine.

I went bald at 22 (36 now) and it has sucked having to put on sunscreen, so I have invested in many breathable hats to leave in the autos and boats. No cancer so far to speak of.

Timeline to be fully healed?

Should have sufficient scar tissue in about 8 weeks but won't be fully healed for up to a year. I also have to do annual full body checks now... hopefully no repeats.

 

[KidVermicious]

Should have sufficient scar tissue in about 8 weeks but won't be fully healed for up to a year. I also have to do annual full body checks now... hopefully no repeats.

Not to be a debbie downer, but I lost my grandfather to melanoma, he went from perfectly healthy to dead in eight months. I'd check more often than annually, and good luck!

 

[bofa]

Not to be a debbie downer, but I lost my grandfather to melanoma, he went from perfectly healthy to dead in eight months. I'd check more often than annually, and good luck!

Sorry to hear that. Interesting you should mention your grandfather... I was the youngin' in the Mohs unit this week. Apparently its uncommon to see someone in their 30s. The other patients ranged from 60s up to 95. I know the 95 one because we could hear the nurse in the next room yelling to help him hear her. Poor guy.

 

[slapdappy]

Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early, as I understand it. Trouble is when it has time to embed itself and spread.
No need for SPF more than 30. Even 100 SPF needs to be reapplied at same interval, so 30 is always the max recommended.
Congratulations on catching it so early. Temporary divot in the noggin is a negligible price to pay. You owe that lady sincere gratitude. Have you returned to update her? Bet that'd make her feel real good.
Wow, you are a fortunate soul.

 

[bofa]

Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early, as I understand it. Trouble is when it has time to embed itself and spread.
No need for SPF more than 30. Even 100 SPF needs to be reapplied at same interval, so 30 is always the max recommended.
Congratulations on catching it so early. Temporary divot in the noggin is a negligible price to pay. You owe that lady sincere gratitude. Have you returned to update her? Bet that'd make her feel real good.
Wow, you are a fortunate soul.

I have and she was very happy to help. I need to find a good way to thank her.

 

[philsey]

Kudos [MENTION=80047]bofa[/MENTION] for the PSA.

I'll chime in because this is important, as most of you young'uns probably think you're bulletproof.

I'm a life-long boater and gardener, both of which are obviously high in sun exposure. Many years of baking in the sun, with no hat, and an aversion to slathering up.

I sit here today with 4 quarter-sized ugly blisters on my head, temple, and cheek, as a result of my dermatologist's liquid nitrogen gun.... which I have come home with every year now for the last 5.

I'm lucky tho - he's catching my little rough spots "early", and this (slightly painful) treatment has worked so far.

So, listen up boys:

- use sun block on ALL exposed skin.
- wear a hat WITH A BRIM (ears are very susceptible).
- go to a dermatologist yearly.

Peace.

 

[MtnT4R]

I agree with being smart about sun exposure, but I would be careful with chemical sunscreens. Most of the stuff people slather all over themselves without reading the label has been suspected to contribute to our skyrocketing cases of skin cancer.

Just one article of many if you care to do any research:
Avoid sunscreens with potentially harmful ingredients, group warns - CNN.com

Interestingly enough, overuse of sunscreen has also been linked to a number of health problems, as a sizeable percentage of our population are deficient in vitamin D, which is most effectively absorbed through direct exposure to the sun. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to immune system problems, among other health issues.

All I'm saying is a lot of sunscreens are suspected to make the problem worse, so be careful. I use this stuff: Alba Botanica Emollient Sunscreen Sport Lotion w... : Target

But the best sunscreen is to be smart about limiting excessive exposure and wearing a shirt and hat. 10-15 minutes of sun exposure on your bare skin daily is recommended by doctors for a huge number of reasons:
Time in the Sun: How Much Is Needed for Vitamin D? - US News

Sunshine Vitamin

Glad to hear they caught it early and removal looks to be successful. I've been assessed to be twice as likely to develop melanoma so this topic is never far from my mind, especially as I am outside over 300 days a year at altitude. Regular checkups with a dermatologist is extremely important.

 

[bofa]

I agree with being smart about sun exposure, but I would be careful with chemical sunscreens. Most of the stuff people slather all over themselves without reading the label has been suspected to contribute to our skyrocketing cases of skin cancer.

Just one article of many if you care to do any research:
Avoid sunscreens with potentially harmful ingredients, group warns - CNN.com

Interestingly enough, overuse of sunscreen has also been linked to a number of health problems, as a sizeable percentage of our population are deficient in vitamin D, which is most effectively absorbed through direct exposure to the sun. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to immune system problems, among other health issues.

All I'm saying is a lot of sunscreens are suspected to make the problem worse, so be careful. I use this stuff: Alba Botanica Emollient Sunscreen Sport Lotion w... : Target

But the best sunscreen is to be smart about limiting excessive exposure and wearing a shirt and hat. 10-15 minutes of sun exposure on your bare skin daily is recommended by doctors for a huge number of reasons:
Time in the Sun: How Much Is Needed for Vitamin D? - US News

Sunshine Vitamin

Glad to hear they caught it early and removal looks to be successful. I've been assessed to be twice as likely to develop melanoma so this topic is never far from my mind, especially as I am outside over 300 days a year at altitude. Regular checkups and cutting abnormal growths off is extremely important.

Thanks man, I had no idea about those ingredients. I guess it's time to head over to Target.

 

[2014 Warthog]

Eee, sorry to hear that, good that it was caught!

This is my biggest fear. We played in the sun at the beach almost daily every supper as a kid. We had like SPF 2 sunscreen back then too, when/if we used it.

Our friends mother that took us there every day died of Melanoma from it several years ago Unfortunately most of the damage is already done, just waiting...