Anyone else here THIS worried about skin cancer?

[HorseyWoman]

I have quite fair skin. blue eyes, fair hair, permanent freckles on my face and more freckles when in the sun. All my life I have burned in the sun, even with sun cream on. My mum used to put hats on us all and stick sun cream on us, but I'd still cop it. But we went on English holidays, so it wasn't too much of a problem.

My first trip abroad was with school when I was 13 - to Italy. I didn't parade round in a bathing costume and was almost constantly in clothes, and I can't remember if I burned; if I did, it wasn't badly. Then we went to Spain when I was 16 and I came back a bit brown but not too much and definitely hadn't burned. My husband and I travel to france (south) frequently and I think I've been ok there too, although on honeymoon 4 years ago, I did burn a bit and then peeled (shoulders). When I was 16 is the only other time I can remember being VERY badly sunburned on my back - so bad that it hurt for a week, I couldn't stand lying on my back or showering my back.

Recently as a nanny, I've found myself getting slightly burned on the face and then my face gets slightly browner each time. As I get older I don't seem to go back to white anymore. I never used to tan but more recently I have started to. Last week we went to Gran Canaria and on the second day I went down to the pool early, it was quite a cold day really, and I forgot my sun cream. I was in the pool most of the day and when I got out, although not as sore as when I was 16 and had that bad burn, it was sore, and for the rest of the week, despite using the 50spf cream the sun really stung it and also round the neck it got worse (I guess in and out of the water, walking round etc). I know you need to stay out of the sun with sunburn, but what can you do when on holiday? Going on excursions etc? I'm now home, still very red round part of my shoulders and then quite golden brown up and down my arms, rest of shoulders and face.

Now I have been reading about sun tans, sunburn, freckles, moles. I have a few moles on my boy - always have - and like I say I have a freckly face adn go more freckly in the sun, but am now very worried that a) I'll be left with liver spots as I did go so freckly and b) I am going to get skin cancer just because of that one time in my life I have gone without sun cream. I usually cover up, always use a high factor and a hat, never burn this badly apart from those 2 occasions in my life. But now I am really scared cause I know the tan means I have irrepairable skin damage (I already had 2 brown tan lines on my shoulders from where I caught sun where the backpack rubbed the lotion off at the bath and west show this year). If I have so much skin damage that I have now, at the age of 24, started to tan, I am terrified I will get skin cancer. I do keep and eye on moles etc, and keep a good eye on my body for changes anyway, but someone tell me I am being slightly irrational?

(I know I'm not, that's the thing - sunburn is reckless)

[HorseyWoman]

And I am peeling, and it says that the peeling skin is skincells 'commiting suicide' so that they don't multiply out of control, as in cancer.

OMG, I won't sleep tonight.

[HorseyWoman]

Also, although we go to france now and then, sometimes south, sometimes north, we don't go on beach holidays, this was a one-off.

[ConnorTraceptive]

I used to have a huge phobia about skin cancer when I was suffering PND.

You could book yourself into a mole clinic to have a thorough check to put your mind at rest and then all you can do in the future is be careful in the sun

[Brangelina]

Well, whilst not wanting to minimise the risks of skin cancer, I can't help but think that your obsessing about it is possibly doing you more harm than a couple of burning sessions.

Try to stay positive and not dwell on it, I'm sure you'll be fine. Why not fix an appt with a dermatologist for a check up to put you mind at rest?

[Pennies]

If you're that worried about it go and talk to a dermatologist who will advise you on your skin type and exactly the sorts of things you should be looking out for. You have to accept that what's done is done and make sure you're protected in the future and mindful of what your moles are doing.

Skin cancer, if caught early is curable and I should know, because I've had it (twice!).

[Roskva]

I'm just as paranoid. I got sunburnt really badly several times as a teenager, and it really shows that my skin has sun damage (I'm in my late 30s). Now I usually slap on the high factor sun screen at the first sign of sun, and anyway if I'm spending any length of time outdoors, and I'm really careful with dd - the shade-a-babe goes on the buggy as soon as the sun comes out. I still managed to get sunburn on one arm this year (sat outside a cafe for half an hour).

I have had a couple of moles removed, and have loads of sebhorrheic (sp?) warts, which according to the dermatologist I saw last year are usually associated with people aged 50+. So I keep an eye on things, and I get my gp to look at any mole or anything I'm worried about.

[HorseyWoman]

Thanks all of you; it's reassuring. Pennies, I am sorry to hear you had skin cancer twice, and I am pleased it was cured both times. Good for you for being so positive!

I think I probably will go to a mole clinic at some point, and may go and see my GP. I did have a mole on my neck burned off when I was 5, but I can't remember why that was. I have about 3 on each arm and leg, a few on my back and one on my neck under my chin. I haven't had any of these warts, though. I was born with moles, though and think I have acquired another couple throughout my life. I will keep an eye on the moles and intend to carry on wearing hats and covering up in sumer months, and using high factor creams. I don't think I'll make a habit of foreign holidays!!!

I know I am being paranoid; I think I have that tendancy.

[Paddlechick666]

pennies, what prompted you to get yourself checked out wrt to the skin cancer?

my mum had a melagnoma (sp?) 3 years ago which was quite severe. she's very fair and full of freckles and moles.

i'm not as fair but do have quite a few moles that are just big freckles really. i've always been quite outdoorsy and i know i've had burns in the past.

i noticed a mole on my leg looked a bit raised last week and this week it's gone a bit red and itchy. am seeing the dr on monday.

guess i am just a bit worried that i can't check any on my shoulders and back etc so wouldn't know if any moles had changed etc...

[mm22bys]

I agree, if you are worried, go see a dr.

I am from Australia, but live in UK now, and I am paranoid about the sun - I too am blond, blue-eyed and very fair, so I burn easily too. When we go away I slather on the sunscreen (as high as I can but in Australia they say that factor 25 provides the best protection), and avoid the sun in the middle of the day.

I am paranoid about my two DSs two, one in particular is very blond, blue eyed and fair (his brother is more olive) so we are pretty careful with them too.

So if you are worried go see a dr, worrying in itself will cause its own problems!

[ediemay]

Dear HW

I have been fighting with skin cancer for the past 15 years: carcinomas, keratomas, basal cell cancers and melanoma. I had my latest biopsy 4 days ago.I hope that a bit of this info might be useful to you.

If you are fair skinned you need to be extra careful because you have less pigment, as you know. People with blue eyes and/or skin with a tendency to freckle are at higher risk.

Most people know that sunburn is risky - but sun tanning is also risky - the 'tan' is actualy your skin's emergency response to the sun exposure - it throws all the melanin (pigment) which it has up to the surface and this shows as the brownish colour.

Being in the water is an extra risk because the UV is reflected back onto you and because you are cooled by the water and might miss the sensation of burning.

As for moles - moles are something you either have or don't have. I don't have any moles! The thing to watch out for is change. Get used to the marks, freckles, bumps and moles and monitor them. If you are monitoring, you won't need to worry. What I have been taught to look for are changes in shape, surface texture, colour and symmetry.

Basal cell cancers and melanomas are both invasive but melanoma is very dangerous. Its secondaries can include brain, lung and liver cancer. The other types of skin cancer are not invasive and can be treated superficially or by means of a small excision; however, they can lead to unpleasant scarring.

The best thing you can do to protect youself is to treasure the skin you have.

Accept your colouring and go with it, I'm sure it's lovely. If you're fair, stay fair and be proud of it.

Stay out of direct sunlight whenever possible.

If you're out in it, wear a hat and sleeves. Clothes are a much better protector than creams and a hat puts you into your own shade. Having said that, use your cream as well. I use SunSense Factor 60 every day between April and October in the UK and I use a facial cream which is Factor 25. Protect your lips, ears, soles of feet and palms of hands.

I know that this is a lot of info, but I hope it helps if I am honest. From what you say I doubt you have exposed yourself to enormous risks. Sun damage is cumulative and you are still very young so try not to worry yourself - just protect your precious skin, enjoy your holidays and buy some gorgeous hats.

Love
em

[Pennies]

I got mine checked out because I had a basal cell carcinoma (which wasn't a mole to start with BTW just a spot that refused to heal properly) and I had had this mole on my leg that had been getting inflamed and was sporadically itchy (quite a uniqie itch, felt quite profound, for want of a better word, almost like a mild electric shock rather than a tickle) for a while but had had it checked and it was OK and also considered too small to be anything nasty (under 7mm or the size of a pencil diameter).

However when PG with dd1 it grew bigger and my dermatologist said to come back once I"d had my baby as he didn't think it was anything dodgy and he ddn't want to take comething out whist I was PG and risk any infection. 3 months afer having the baby it went inflamed again so I went back, he took it off and was surprised to find out it a very superficial melanoma.

THe whole episode feaked me out no end and I think about it daily. I totally regret every second I ever spent in the sun and the countlesss times I've burnt myself. Still, it's done now and it's my job to be vigilant. I have photos of all my moles and have measured them and DH checks them for changes and enlargement every month or so.

[ediemay]

Hi pennies

It is strange how it stays with you all the time isn't it? I lived in Africa as a child and got all my exposure there, even though my Mum made sure that we never got burned.

Do you still go for your check-ups? I've just had a biopsy for another suspected BCC on my forehead. If it's positive I will try to blag a free facelift!

em

[Pennies]

Yes. Hope you don't mind but dearched you and read how you spotted your malanoma. Interesting that it was a freckle and not a mole. Was it a larger freckle? It has concerned me as I'm covred in freckles of all shapes and sizes.

[ediemay]

Hi pennies,

Of course I don't mind. I always try to be honest about it and hopefully it might help someone else. I have loads of freckles too, but it really stood out from the others, (even though it was small), because the centre was darker and because it developed an asymmetric, paler edge to it.

I really hope you don't get any more. Have a lovely weekend.

em
x

[Pennies]

Blimey you were lucky it was on your arm (think I'm right there?). I'm not so sure I'd notice something like that on my back.

Apologies for the terrible typing in my earlier post!

Am with you 100% with regard to honesty about it, if I can stop just one person from experiencing this it will be worth it.

[ediemay]

I know, I often think that. My consultant said that arms, legs, palms of hands and soles of feet are the most common sites for melanoma. Oh the joys.

No worries today - pouring with rain!

I didn't even notice the typing.

Hope to talk to you on here more often.

em