Melanoma and sun exposure

My goal is to avoid getting color.   So if a hat and clothing or sunscreen take care of that, that's what I do.  I refuse to let melanoma take away from living life like I want.  I just modify a few things especially clothing.  Oh, and if I have a chance to do an outdoor activity early vs noon, I pick early.  Keep it simple.  Be sun smart, but live your life!

My goal is to avoid getting color.   So if a hat and clothing or sunscreen take care of that, that's what I do.  I refuse to let melanoma take away from living life like I want.  I just modify a few things especially clothing.  Oh, and if I have a chance to do an outdoor activity early vs noon, I pick early.  Keep it simple.  Be sun smart, but live your life!

My goal is to avoid getting color.   So if a hat and clothing or sunscreen take care of that, that's what I do.  I refuse to let melanoma take away from living life like I want.  I just modify a few things especially clothing.  Oh, and if I have a chance to do an outdoor activity early vs noon, I pick early.  Keep it simple.  Be sun smart, but live your life!

Mark, I agree with Janner – you can enjoy being outside but perhaps be a bit more cautious than you were before. Your biggest threat of recurrence is local, at or near the original site – so you might want to consider some of the sun-protection clothing on the market, if that would make you feel a little more secure.

Also, I might up the sun screen applications to any time you're planning to be in the sun for 15 minutes or more – that will  offer a little more protection in case you underestimate.

Don't let the beast get you! Don't stay inside!

Best wishes —

Hazel

Mark, I agree with Janner – you can enjoy being outside but perhaps be a bit more cautious than you were before. Your biggest threat of recurrence is local, at or near the original site – so you might want to consider some of the sun-protection clothing on the market, if that would make you feel a little more secure.

Also, I might up the sun screen applications to any time you're planning to be in the sun for 15 minutes or more – that will  offer a little more protection in case you underestimate.

Don't let the beast get you! Don't stay inside!

Best wishes —

Hazel

Mark, I agree with Janner – you can enjoy being outside but perhaps be a bit more cautious than you were before. Your biggest threat of recurrence is local, at or near the original site – so you might want to consider some of the sun-protection clothing on the market, if that would make you feel a little more secure.

Also, I might up the sun screen applications to any time you're planning to be in the sun for 15 minutes or more – that will  offer a little more protection in case you underestimate.

Don't let the beast get you! Don't stay inside!

Best wishes —

Hazel

I'm in about the same boat as you: not a sunworshipper, haven't had a suburn since I was a kid. Even as a kid, if I felt like I was burning or getting pink on the beach, I'd cover up and/or head for the shade. Sunscreens came out when I was in my late teens so that's when I started using sunscreen when I knew I'd be out in direct sun for more than 30 miunutes.

But yet, despite the precautions throughout the years, I have melanoma! And, and unknown primary to boot.

Even given this, I've never lived in the shadows nor do I intend to. And, neither should you. Just remember to wear sunscreen, a brimmed hat, and have long pants and a long-sleeved garment on hand in the event an area you missed is starting to burn. If you wear sandals or are barefoot, don't forget to put sunscreen on the tops of your feet. Also on your ears and ear lobes.

I'm in about the same boat as you: not a sunworshipper, haven't had a suburn since I was a kid. Even as a kid, if I felt like I was burning or getting pink on the beach, I'd cover up and/or head for the shade. Sunscreens came out when I was in my late teens so that's when I started using sunscreen when I knew I'd be out in direct sun for more than 30 miunutes.

But yet, despite the precautions throughout the years, I have melanoma! And, and unknown primary to boot.

Even given this, I've never lived in the shadows nor do I intend to. And, neither should you. Just remember to wear sunscreen, a brimmed hat, and have long pants and a long-sleeved garment on hand in the event an area you missed is starting to burn. If you wear sandals or are barefoot, don't forget to put sunscreen on the tops of your feet. Also on your ears and ear lobes.

I'm in about the same boat as you: not a sunworshipper, haven't had a suburn since I was a kid. Even as a kid, if I felt like I was burning or getting pink on the beach, I'd cover up and/or head for the shade. Sunscreens came out when I was in my late teens so that's when I started using sunscreen when I knew I'd be out in direct sun for more than 30 miunutes.

But yet, despite the precautions throughout the years, I have melanoma! And, and unknown primary to boot.

Even given this, I've never lived in the shadows nor do I intend to. And, neither should you. Just remember to wear sunscreen, a brimmed hat, and have long pants and a long-sleeved garment on hand in the event an area you missed is starting to burn. If you wear sandals or are barefoot, don't forget to put sunscreen on the tops of your feet. Also on your ears and ear lobes.