Weird title? Well this week has been pretty interesting and I will tell you why after I give you a background story...Back when I was in highschool I went for a routine skin check at the dermatologist. My parents both had a couple different things removed so they thought I should be checked also. At my appointment they removed several spots and sent them off to a lab to check for any abnormal cells. We got a call a couple weeks later that I would be having surgery in 4 different places on my back..I had squamous cell (a type of non melanoma skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body if not treated, the abnormal cells can also have opportunity to turn into melanoma later in life if not removed) so I went in for 2 seperate surgeries and ended up with 4 ugly scars on my back and 80 stitches. YUCK.
Why am I explaining all this? Well people ask me questions alot and most people don't think to be checked every now and then, especially being young..they think skin cancer is for old people who have lived in the sun everyday or spent alot of time in tanning beds. This is not true- So let me take the opportunity to give you a little information-
I recently went for a check a couple weeks ago and they removed 4 more spots. They call them moles but they look like dark freckles and usually don't have a round shape. Three out of the four came back positive again for abnormal cells so I had some surgery done this week and go back in two weeks for some more. NOT FUN.
I would probably stay out of the sun all the time if I thought that would help but I was told that my "moles" are most likely genetic...some of these areas have never seen the sun! I have always worn alot of sunscreen and don't have skin that usually burns. So yes, excessive sun exposure (most likely from when you were young) can produce this but it can also just be in your family. (My grandmother has had melanoma on her face, and my dad has had basal cell on his face) I usually wear hats and shirts if I'm gonna be in the sun for awhile because I do live in Florida and love the summertime and the beach.
Here are some facts that some people aren't aware of regarding skin cancer and some precautions to take:
-Sun damage is sun damage, regardless whether its in the form of a sun tan or a sun BURN. Sun damage accumulates year after year and in 20 or 30 years or more the damage appears as wrinkles, age spots and yes, skin cancer.
-Severe sunburns are the early visible type of damage and can be related to the development of melanoma which is potentially fatal.
-The built up type of sun damage can lead to skin cancers on the face, ears and neck. These are usually Basal cell cancers and usually develop in middle or later life but can be as early as ones 20's. These don't usually spread to other parts of the body but they keep growing and have to be removed.
-Squamous cell cancers do spread to other parts of the body if they aren't treated early.
-Its estimated that children get about 80 PERCENT of their total lifetime sun exposure in the first 18 years of life! This is a way to prevent skin cancer later in life.
Precautions:
-If you can, stay out of the sun in the middle of the day (10am-4pm) when the sun's energy is the greatest.
-Be aware of of the length of time you are in the sun..a fair skinned person can burn in 15 minutes of midday sun.
-Always use 15 SPF of more.
-Babies 6 months or younger should not be in the sun at all and start using sunscreen on them after 6 months. Their new skin is espeically sensitive. (I pray Chandler gets Chris' skin and not mine :(
If you are still with me...congratulations on reading one of the longest posts I've ever written but felt it might help other people since I get asked about this alot. If you have any questions be sure to ask and maybe I can answer or find the answer for you. I'm praying what I had done this week will heal up quick as I will be traveling this weekend and toting Chandler about (All 20 lbs. of him) I've just been laying around the last few days and I considered staying home because I'm pretty sore but this trip is much needed and I'm excited..I'll update on that when I return.
Until Then!
~Linz
