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My sisters doctor
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My sisters doctor

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  • Post
    • June 19, 2016 at 4:35 pm
    Scared99
    Participant

      My sister had an in-situ several years ago and I am confused by the advice her dermatologist.  He said with her skin type to try and get some sun exposure everyday.  He claims that vitamin d is crucial for the skins immune system.  I believe she only gets 20-25 minutes of sun a day. Has anyone ever heard of this ?

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    • Replies
        • June 19, 2016 at 7:23 pm
        DZnDef
        Participant

          Yes, I have heard the same thing.  That most of us are deficient in Vitamin D and need to either increase our sun exposure or supplement with Vitamin D3.  I am supplementing with Vitamin D3 however, I would prefer to reduce my supplementation by getting more direct sun exposure.  20-25 minutes of sun each day sounds like plenty.  Many people with melanoma believe they need to avoid sun exposure all together.  However, many people experience primary melanomas in locations that are never exposed to the sun bringing into question the role of sun exposure and melanoma.  Obviously, you don't want to burn, but moderate sun exposure may provide good health benefits.  You cannot overdose on Vitamin D made by your skin as a result of sun exposure, but you can overdose on Vitamin D supplements so if she goes that route, she should have her blood Vitamin D levels tested regularly.  But it does sound like she is getting sufficient sun exposure already if she is not wearing sunscreen (which would block the rays necessary for making Vitamin D).

          • June 19, 2016 at 7:23 pm
          DZnDef
          Participant

            Yes, I have heard the same thing.  That most of us are deficient in Vitamin D and need to either increase our sun exposure or supplement with Vitamin D3.  I am supplementing with Vitamin D3 however, I would prefer to reduce my supplementation by getting more direct sun exposure.  20-25 minutes of sun each day sounds like plenty.  Many people with melanoma believe they need to avoid sun exposure all together.  However, many people experience primary melanomas in locations that are never exposed to the sun bringing into question the role of sun exposure and melanoma.  Obviously, you don't want to burn, but moderate sun exposure may provide good health benefits.  You cannot overdose on Vitamin D made by your skin as a result of sun exposure, but you can overdose on Vitamin D supplements so if she goes that route, she should have her blood Vitamin D levels tested regularly.  But it does sound like she is getting sufficient sun exposure already if she is not wearing sunscreen (which would block the rays necessary for making Vitamin D).

            • June 19, 2016 at 7:23 pm
            DZnDef
            Participant

              Yes, I have heard the same thing.  That most of us are deficient in Vitamin D and need to either increase our sun exposure or supplement with Vitamin D3.  I am supplementing with Vitamin D3 however, I would prefer to reduce my supplementation by getting more direct sun exposure.  20-25 minutes of sun each day sounds like plenty.  Many people with melanoma believe they need to avoid sun exposure all together.  However, many people experience primary melanomas in locations that are never exposed to the sun bringing into question the role of sun exposure and melanoma.  Obviously, you don't want to burn, but moderate sun exposure may provide good health benefits.  You cannot overdose on Vitamin D made by your skin as a result of sun exposure, but you can overdose on Vitamin D supplements so if she goes that route, she should have her blood Vitamin D levels tested regularly.  But it does sound like she is getting sufficient sun exposure already if she is not wearing sunscreen (which would block the rays necessary for making Vitamin D).

                • June 19, 2016 at 8:19 pm
                Scared99
                Participant

                  I found it very odd that my sister even had a melanoma.  She is the only one in my family that has ever really protected herself from the sun.  She isn't fair skinned and when we were kids she used to get tan and not burn.  me, my brothers and parents have much more sun damage.  My dad and brother own a roofing company and live in the sun year round.  None of this makes much sense to me. 

                  • June 19, 2016 at 8:19 pm
                  Scared99
                  Participant

                    I found it very odd that my sister even had a melanoma.  She is the only one in my family that has ever really protected herself from the sun.  She isn't fair skinned and when we were kids she used to get tan and not burn.  me, my brothers and parents have much more sun damage.  My dad and brother own a roofing company and live in the sun year round.  None of this makes much sense to me. 

                    • June 19, 2016 at 8:19 pm
                    Scared99
                    Participant

                      I found it very odd that my sister even had a melanoma.  She is the only one in my family that has ever really protected herself from the sun.  She isn't fair skinned and when we were kids she used to get tan and not burn.  me, my brothers and parents have much more sun damage.  My dad and brother own a roofing company and live in the sun year round.  None of this makes much sense to me. 

                      • June 19, 2016 at 9:25 pm
                      jennunicorn
                      Participant

                        Anyone can get melanoma, it is only 90% caused by UV rays, other 10% is due to factors like gene mutations and other things. Tanning IS sun damage, even if one gets tan naturally. African Americans get melanoma (that's how Bob Marley died). It does not matter how much one has been protected or not from the sun, you can still get melanoma or you can never get it. She had in situ, which is very very minor and some even argue it isn't technically having melanoma. I am sure she will never deal with anything melanoma related again. 

                        All the best,

                        • June 19, 2016 at 9:25 pm
                        jennunicorn
                        Participant

                          Anyone can get melanoma, it is only 90% caused by UV rays, other 10% is due to factors like gene mutations and other things. Tanning IS sun damage, even if one gets tan naturally. African Americans get melanoma (that's how Bob Marley died). It does not matter how much one has been protected or not from the sun, you can still get melanoma or you can never get it. She had in situ, which is very very minor and some even argue it isn't technically having melanoma. I am sure she will never deal with anything melanoma related again. 

                          All the best,

                          • June 19, 2016 at 9:25 pm
                          jennunicorn
                          Participant

                            Anyone can get melanoma, it is only 90% caused by UV rays, other 10% is due to factors like gene mutations and other things. Tanning IS sun damage, even if one gets tan naturally. African Americans get melanoma (that's how Bob Marley died). It does not matter how much one has been protected or not from the sun, you can still get melanoma or you can never get it. She had in situ, which is very very minor and some even argue it isn't technically having melanoma. I am sure she will never deal with anything melanoma related again. 

                            All the best,

                            • June 19, 2016 at 9:55 pm
                            DZnDef
                            Participant

                              Here is a recent study which concluded higher levels of Vitamin D were associated with lower cancer risks (the study was done on women over 55).  Virtually all of the participants that did develop cancer had a blood serum level <40.

                              http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0152441

                              • June 19, 2016 at 9:55 pm
                              DZnDef
                              Participant

                                Here is a recent study which concluded higher levels of Vitamin D were associated with lower cancer risks (the study was done on women over 55).  Virtually all of the participants that did develop cancer had a blood serum level <40.

                                http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0152441

                                • June 19, 2016 at 9:55 pm
                                DZnDef
                                Participant

                                  Here is a recent study which concluded higher levels of Vitamin D were associated with lower cancer risks (the study was done on women over 55).  Virtually all of the participants that did develop cancer had a blood serum level <40.

                                  http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0152441

                                  • June 19, 2016 at 10:04 pm
                                  DZnDef
                                  Participant

                                    I should note that skin cancer was excluded from the study.  I wish they said why.

                                    • June 19, 2016 at 10:04 pm
                                    DZnDef
                                    Participant

                                      I should note that skin cancer was excluded from the study.  I wish they said why.

                                      • June 19, 2016 at 10:04 pm
                                      DZnDef
                                      Participant

                                        I should note that skin cancer was excluded from the study.  I wish they said why.

                                        • June 20, 2016 at 1:26 pm
                                        ed williams
                                        Participant

                                          Hi DZnDef, here is an article on Vitamin D and skin cancer from this years asco conference. I will give you the link and you can also find it on twitter —@asco—  the date is June 15th on the ASCO twitter page. The author is a Dr. at M.D. Anderson. The findings in the last paragraph kind of sum things up!!! Best Wishes!!! Ed     https://connection.asco.org/magazine/exclusive-coverage/vitamin-d-associated-survival-benefits-among-patients-recently-diagnosed

                                          • June 20, 2016 at 1:26 pm
                                          ed williams
                                          Participant

                                            Hi DZnDef, here is an article on Vitamin D and skin cancer from this years asco conference. I will give you the link and you can also find it on twitter —@asco—  the date is June 15th on the ASCO twitter page. The author is a Dr. at M.D. Anderson. The findings in the last paragraph kind of sum things up!!! Best Wishes!!! Ed     https://connection.asco.org/magazine/exclusive-coverage/vitamin-d-associated-survival-benefits-among-patients-recently-diagnosed

                                            • June 20, 2016 at 1:26 pm
                                            ed williams
                                            Participant

                                              Hi DZnDef, here is an article on Vitamin D and skin cancer from this years asco conference. I will give you the link and you can also find it on twitter —@asco—  the date is June 15th on the ASCO twitter page. The author is a Dr. at M.D. Anderson. The findings in the last paragraph kind of sum things up!!! Best Wishes!!! Ed     https://connection.asco.org/magazine/exclusive-coverage/vitamin-d-associated-survival-benefits-among-patients-recently-diagnosed

                                              • June 20, 2016 at 11:40 pm
                                              DZnDef
                                              Participant

                                                Thank you so much, Ed!  That's exactly the sort of thing I was hoping to find.  You're always keyed in to just the right video or article.  As an aside, I will always remember and be thankful for your help in finding a video explaining brain mets for my brother.  He loved that video as it helped him understand his disease and options much better.  Although he lost his battle, I will never forget your role in helping him to sort it all out.  You and I have disagreed in the past, so I wouldn't have blamed you if you had just skipped my post.  But you reached out and helped.  You are a good soul, Ed.  I hope we both have many years of disagreeing ahead of us! smiley

                                                • June 20, 2016 at 11:40 pm
                                                DZnDef
                                                Participant

                                                  Thank you so much, Ed!  That's exactly the sort of thing I was hoping to find.  You're always keyed in to just the right video or article.  As an aside, I will always remember and be thankful for your help in finding a video explaining brain mets for my brother.  He loved that video as it helped him understand his disease and options much better.  Although he lost his battle, I will never forget your role in helping him to sort it all out.  You and I have disagreed in the past, so I wouldn't have blamed you if you had just skipped my post.  But you reached out and helped.  You are a good soul, Ed.  I hope we both have many years of disagreeing ahead of us! smiley

                                                  • June 20, 2016 at 11:40 pm
                                                  DZnDef
                                                  Participant

                                                    Thank you so much, Ed!  That's exactly the sort of thing I was hoping to find.  You're always keyed in to just the right video or article.  As an aside, I will always remember and be thankful for your help in finding a video explaining brain mets for my brother.  He loved that video as it helped him understand his disease and options much better.  Although he lost his battle, I will never forget your role in helping him to sort it all out.  You and I have disagreed in the past, so I wouldn't have blamed you if you had just skipped my post.  But you reached out and helped.  You are a good soul, Ed.  I hope we both have many years of disagreeing ahead of us! smiley

                                                    • June 22, 2016 at 5:44 pm
                                                    Scared99
                                                    Participant

                                                      http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/25207378/

                                                       

                                                      constant, long term exposure to the sun is actually preventative for melanoma.   Short, intense exposures are a risk factor.   There is so much different information out there and too many major corporations looking to make millions spinning it to sell their products ! 

                                                      • June 22, 2016 at 5:44 pm
                                                      Scared99
                                                      Participant

                                                        http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/25207378/

                                                         

                                                        constant, long term exposure to the sun is actually preventative for melanoma.   Short, intense exposures are a risk factor.   There is so much different information out there and too many major corporations looking to make millions spinning it to sell their products ! 

                                                        • June 22, 2016 at 5:44 pm
                                                        Scared99
                                                        Participant

                                                          http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/25207378/

                                                           

                                                          constant, long term exposure to the sun is actually preventative for melanoma.   Short, intense exposures are a risk factor.   There is so much different information out there and too many major corporations looking to make millions spinning it to sell their products ! 

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