The sun doesn’t care what season it is, it’s always putting you at risk for skin cancer. Use preventive measures, such as wearing sunscreen or protective clothing, year-round to lower your risk of developing life-threatening cancer.
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[ID: An infographic about the risk factors and prevention methods of Skin Cancer. Both sections are on top of a half-sun, with risk factors sun being orange and red (more intense), and prevention’s being yellow and orange (less intense). Risk Factors. Indoor Tanning: 1 session increases risk of life-threatening melanoma by 75%. Sunburn: 5 or more doubles risk of life-threatening melanoma. Skin Type: Every skin type can burn, but fair skin is most easily burned. UVA/UVB Exposure: A high UV index will burn unprotected skin faster/worse. Genetics: Some are genetically predipositioned to get sunburned. Atypical Moles: Those with 10 or more have 12 times risk of melanoma. Red Hair: 1.5 times risk of basal cell carcinomas and 12 times squamous cell carcinomas. Prevention. Sunscreen: SPF 30+, apply 30 min prior, reapply every 2 hrs. Protective Clothing: Dark/bright colors and densely woven fabrics. Car/Home Window Film: Look for the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation. Annual Skin Exams: Visit your physician yearly for skin exams. Monthly Self- Exams. Anything new, changing, or unusual, immediately visit dermatologist. Healthy Diet: Eat daily recommendations of vitamins C, E, A, and pink, selenium, beta carotene, omega 3-fatty acids, lycopene, and polyphenols. End description.]
I finally had the wide excision on Tuesday. It was actually supposed to be Monday, but the first surgeon I saw wasn’t comfortable doing anything due to the location on my toe, and my medical history. He referred me to his colleague, who is “the melanoma guy.”
This actually worked out really well, as my mom (who came down to be with me for my appointment) used to work quite closely with this surgeon (she’s a nurse). She was very happy that he’d be doing the procedure and was confident in his skills and expertise. Due to the connection, the nurses definitely pulled some strings to make sure I could get in to see him asap. They were all really great in taking my concerns about having already been off of Humira for a month seriously, and understood why we needed to get the excision done right away so I can restart my therapy.
The surgeon’s office got me in to see him the next morning, and he asked me what I’d prefer for procedure. I went in being pretty against the idea of a skin graft if it was going to be needed, given my history of infections and shit just going wrong. He weighed an excision vs an amputation, but told me he thought amputation right off the bat would be a little aggressive. He was confident he’d be able to close the wound without grafting, but told me it would be extremely tight, and the margins would be very close. I agreed to do the excision as recommended, but if my margins aren’t good enough when pathology comes back, he’ll amputate the whole toe.
The excision itself was fine. The doctor made a remark about Crohn’s patients not always having a great pain tolerance (?), and was then impressed when I didn’t flinch for the injection in the bottom of my foot. He loaded me up with short- and long-acting freezing too, which was great.
The excision went down to the bone, and he also said that he hit part of my nail growth plate, so I might have some issues with that toenail going forward, no biggie. He put three huge retention sutures in, and two smaller ones. I go back in three weeks to get them out.
In the meantime, he asked for the pathology to be rushed for me. It usually takes about three weeks, which would mean missing at least two more doses of Humira. We’ll see if the request will actually result knowing what’s happening faster.
For now, we know that it’s definitely Stage I, and likely a Stage Ib. The thickness was only 0.43mm, but the mitotic rate of 1 was more of a concern. The surgeon should know definitively when I go back to see him for future removal. If he gets the pathology before that, and I do need the amputation, I assume that would happen before. There wouldn’t be much point in taking them out if the toe is just coming off.
He prescribed me Percocet for pain, and said it would be pretty sore once the local wore off. He was right. The pain level resulted in me taking two Percocet every 5 hours, until the vomiting started. I took the last two at 4:30am when the pain woke me up, and then I pretty much barfed from 7:30, when I got up, until 4:30pm. I actually tried to go to work, and ended up under my desk, puking into my wastepaper basket. I went home and barfed some more, called the doctor, who switched me to tramadol, and went to sleep. So, no more Percocet for me. Ever.
All in all, I don’t feel too bad about it, but I need to book with the dermatologist to make sure nothing else looks suspicious before we can think about going back to trying to conceive.
The surgeon did reassure me, though, by saying that I can absolutely get pregnant as soon as it looks like we have everything under control. There’s no need to wait for a certain number of months/years to watch for recurrences.
So far not having any bleeding, but definitely seeing the results of the stress on my gut. Fingers crossed I make it long enough to get back on Humira without losing my remission.
I spoke with my GI last week about what’s going to happen next. For right now, she has stopped Humira until we see what the surgeon has to say. She also has the pathology report, but I haven’t asked for, or gotten any details about the type of melanoma, or the possible staging.
Apparently any kind of aggressive cancer regardless of stage is not a good combo with the immune suppression of Humira (of course), hence the stoppage. If I have breakthrough symptoms, she mentioned prednisone (). Depending on what the surgeon says, and whether I have any other spots on my body that are suspicious, we may switch to Entyvio to be safer given it’s gut-targeting, rather than whole-body effects.
Given all of the side effects and complications I’ve experienced thus far, I can’t say I’m a huge fan of Humira. But, it’s gotten me into remission, and my symptoms are well under control. I’ve never been hospitalized due to my disease, and have not needed surgery. I’m so lucky that this drug worked for me.
As it stands, I’ll miss three full doses of Humira before the excision, and possibly more afterwards. I did ask about getting an earlier appointment to reduce the time off the drug (and the horrible waiting in limbo), and they offered me one this coming Wednesday. Maybe this is stupid, but with Wednesday being the day before my in-laws arrive from overseas, and the start our long-awaited holidays, I opted to wait until the originally-scheduled time. We’re going to be busy doing all kinds of activities: hiking, walking, touring around, and lots of driving.
I don’t know what this excision will involve (skin graft/amputation is possible), or how mobile I will be given the position on my toe. Just the biopsy was quite a lot more painful than I was expecting. I don’t want to ruin my holidays and everyone else’s as well, especially when the surgeon didn’t seem to think it needed to be done on an absolutely urgent basis.
To make this decision look less ridiculous, I’ll just say that I did ask my GI to let me know if she thought I should take the earlier appointment. She has the path report, and would hopefully know what we’re dealing with. She didn’t return my call, but her secretary confirmed she was aware of the question, so that makes me feel better. If she had told me to get in ASAP, I would have done that without hesitation.
Now I just have to wait and keep an eye on Crohn’s symptoms. I’ve had some increased frequency which I’m sure is due to stress, but nothing to be too concerned about yet. My GI told me that my scope showed deep remission, so I’m just hoping that I can hold on to that without Humira, and that I won’t have developed resistance to it when I get back on.
Anyone with a similar experience, please don’t hesitate to send me a message. Whether you have Crohn’s and melanoma, or just melanoma, or for that matter, have ever had a surgical excision on a toe, a tiny bit of insight into what I can expect would really help with my anxiety over this.
The biopsy of my toe came back. I found out yesterday.
I have melanoma.
The appointment with the plastic surgeon is booked for early September, but I’ve asked whether that can be moved up. My GI told me to stop Humira until we get this dealt with, and waiting for the date they booked me means I’ll miss three doses at a minimum.
We’re now discussing further checks of my whole body, possibly switching to entyvio, and that if they find more melanoma, what we will do if I flare (surprise, it’s pred).
I refilled my birth control today. I was so excited that we were finally ready to start trying. I thought I was finally healthy enough, and we were in the clear to have a long-awaited baby. I started taking prenatal vitamins last week for God’s sake.
My friend is pregnant, and is announcing it to our friends group tonight. She gets to have a baby, and I got skin cancer instead.
Feeling pretty low, and I’m aware this is a pity party. I stay pretty positive, but this is too much for me right now.
Hello everybody with summer fast approaching here is your regular reminder that:
Everyone needs to wear sunscreen
SPF 50 is pretty much the best protection you can get, an SPF higher than that will have the same effect
Melanin does not protect you from skin cancer
Tanning is caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation
Spending the majority of your life receiving regular large doses of UV radiation without any skin protection is a good way to get skin cancer
Don’t use tanning beds, and don’t go sun tanning
Wear your fucking sunscreen
Okay, people are clowning in the replies, so let’s try this again:
Sunburn is an uncomfortable short term problem caused by being out in the sun for too long without sunscreen. Some people are more susceptible to it than others. Melanin does protect you from sunburn, so people with dark skin are less likely to get burned, but also sometimes people just have a natural resistance to sunburn (or lack of resistance) - I’m white as hell, and literally the only time in my life I’ve gotten a sunburn was when I spent a whole day outside in a swimsuit without putting on sunscreen when I was a kid, and all I got was a minor burn across my shoulders. Never experienced that whole ‘peeling’ thing y’all are talking about, sounds super gross and uncomfortable tho. Rip to all the rest of you but i’m different.
Skin cancer is fucking cancer. It has nothing to do with sunburn, apart from both being caused by a lot of unprotected sun exposure. If you have skin, you are at risk of getting skin cancer. I have little to no risk of getting sunburn, but I still wear sunscreen, because I am protecting myself from fucking skin cancer.
If someone is basically immune to sunburn, then that’s awesome, but we still need to use just as much sunscreen as everyone else. Because we can still get skin cancer. Immunity to sunburn is not a sign that you can go easy on the sunscreen. And honestly, if you’ve got dark skin, you should probably be extra paranoid about applying sunscreen, because the majority of information on recognizing skin cancer is meant specifically for recognizing it on white skin. If you’re black/brown, it will probably take you longer to be diagnosed if you get skin cancer. And cancer is one of those things that you want diagnosed and treated very quickly, so you should be extra motivated to not get skin cancer in the first place.
Everyone needs to wear sunscreen. Wear your fucking sun screen.
There are a lot of charts like this readily available online.
The thing to be aware of is that type 6 skin typically has later diagnosis of skin cancer. There are a lot of factors that can play into this. People with this skin type may receive different medical care in some countries. It may be more difficult for people with this skin type to see warnings such as “unusually coloured moles”. But even in countries where type 6 skin is the majority, there is a lack of knowledge around skin cancer. People may assume that a suspicious mole is anything else in the world before they see a doctor about it.
Skin cancer caught early on can be as easily dealt with as cutting out a minor freckle. The “cure” can be less worrisome than getting a tattoo.
Skin cancer caught late can kill.
It’s very unfair, but it’s worth being aware that radiation damage through the skin can occur across the breadth of humanity.
Hello everybody with summer fast approaching here is your regular reminder that:
Everyone needs to wear sunscreen
SPF 50 is pretty much the best protection you can get, an SPF higher than that will have the same effect
Melanin does not protect you from skin cancer
Tanning is caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation
Spending the majority of your life receiving regular large doses of UV radiation without any skin protection is a good way to get skin cancer
Don’t use tanning beds, and don’t go sun tanning
Wear your fucking sunscreen
Okay, people are clowning in the replies, so let’s try this again:
Sunburn is an uncomfortable short term problem caused by being out in the sun for too long without sunscreen. Some people are more susceptible to it than others. Melanin does protect you from sunburn, so people with dark skin are less likely to get burned, but also sometimes people just have a natural resistance to sunburn (or lack of resistance) - I’m white as hell, and literally the only time in my life I’ve gotten a sunburn was when I spent a whole day outside in a swimsuit without putting on sunscreen when I was a kid, and all I got was a minor burn across my shoulders. Never experienced that whole ‘peeling’ thing y’all are talking about, sounds super gross and uncomfortable tho. Rip to all the rest of you but i’m different.
Skin cancer is fucking cancer. It has nothing to do with sunburn, apart from both being caused by a lot of unprotected sun exposure. If you have skin, you are at risk of getting skin cancer. I have little to no risk of getting sunburn, but I still wear sunscreen, because I am protecting myself from fucking skin cancer.
If someone is basically immune to sunburn, then that’s awesome, but we still need to use just as much sunscreen as everyone else. Because we can still get skin cancer. Immunity to sunburn is not a sign that you can go easy on the sunscreen. And honestly, if you’ve got dark skin, you should probably be extra paranoid about applying sunscreen, because the majority of information on recognizing skin cancer is meant specifically for recognizing it on white skin. If you’re black/brown, it will probably take you longer to be diagnosed if you get skin cancer. And cancer is one of those things that you want diagnosed and treated very quickly, so you should be extra motivated to not get skin cancer in the first place.
Everyone needs to wear sunscreen. Wear your fucking sun screen.
There are a lot of charts like this readily available online.
The thing to be aware of is that type 6 skin typically has later diagnosis of skin cancer. There are a lot of factors that can play into this. People with this skin type may receive different medical care in some countries. It may be more difficult for people with this skin type to see warnings such as “unusually coloured moles”. But even in countries where type 6 skin is the majority, there is a lack of knowledge around skin cancer. People may assume that a suspicious mole is anything else in the world before they see a doctor about it.
Skin cancer caught early on can be as easily dealt with as cutting out a minor freckle. The “cure” can be less worrisome than getting a tattoo.
Skin cancer caught late can kill.
It’s very unfair, but it’s worth being aware that radiation damage through the skin can occur across the breadth of humanity.
If spending time out in the sun has ever resulted in red, painful, blistering or peeling skin, then you’ve probably had sunburn.
Sunburn is caused by a particular set of light wavelengths emitted from sun. Much of the light produced by the sun is outside the range of human sight, including infraredandultraviolet (UV) light. You can sense infrared light—you feel it as heat on your skin when you step into sunshine. Stay in the sun unprotected for too long, however, and ultraviolet light will leave its mark in the form of a sunburn.
Ultraviolet Radiation
Ultraviolet light is extremely damaging to the DNA of living things. Luckily for us, the Earth’s atmosphere and ozone layer do a great job of blocking a lot of the ultraviolet radiation the sun throws our way. UVAandUVB rays are notable because some of them get through. About 3% of sunlight is made up of UVA/UVB radiation, and of that 3%, about 95% of that is UVA. UVB is what tends to cause you grief every time you get a sunburn, burning the upper layers of your skin, known as the epidermis, to cause the redness we associate with catching the sun. UVA doesn’t cause burns, but unfortunately it does penetrate the skin’s layers much more deeply, getting all the way to the tissues underneath. It is responsible for “photoaging,” the process that accelerates the breakdown of collagen and connective tissue in skin. Solar Erythema or, Darn it, I got Sunburned!
The effects of a sunburn, or solar erythema, may not be noticeable right away; the full extent of the burn takes anywhere from 6 to 48 hours to appear. However, once the symptoms start, they are difficult to ignore. Sunburn triggers an immune response reaction as the skin tries to heal itself. This is characterized by redness or excessive heat that radiates from the skin, caused by the dilation of blood vessels near the skin’s surface as the body increases blood flow to the burned area, in order to help with the healing process. The pain that accompanies sunburn is caused by cytokines, protein messengers that signal to the body that damage has occurred. White blood cells soon arrive on the scene to attack and remove the harmed skin cells. This part of the healing process is what causes the itching, peeling, and blistering that occurs over the hours or days following getting burned.
Skin Damage and Exposure
UVA and UVB radiation both cause skin damage, but in different ways:
UVA triggers a tanning response in skin, which is a sign that the skin had been exposed to too much UV radiation. Specialized skin cells called melanocytes, or pigment cells, work to guard the skin from UV exposure. If these cells get overwhelmed, they ramp up production of a substance called melanin to produce a tan in order to protect the skin from additional future damage. UVA lights are used in tanning beds for this reason. This is also why there is no such thing as a safe tan, since it is a sign that the skin has already been injured. It is also important to note that UVA rays are constant throughout the year, so people who only apply sunscreen in the summer will still be exposed to UV light over a long period of time.
UVB exposure can vary greatly depending on the time of year. It is easiest to be burned midday in the summer,when the sunlight is most direct and concentrated. However, UVB rays can damage skin year-round, especially at high altitudes (the thinner atmosphere allows more UV radiation through) or in areas with highly reflective surfaces, such as snow or ice. Because UVB damage occurs on the topmost layer of skin, it is a major factor in the development of skin cancer. Skin cells are short lived, with new cells replacing old in a 28 day cycle. This rapid cell growth makes it much more likely that if a mutation occurs, it will get passed on instead of destroyed.
Skin repeatedly damaged by sunburn or tanning lamps is vulnerable to cell mutations which can lead to skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma,squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
UV Protection
Your skin does provide some natural protection in the form of the melanin produced by melanocytes. The amount of melanin naturally produced by your skin determines skin color: the more melanin in your skin, the darker it is. People with lighter skin will burn much more quickly than people with darker skin, but a higher melanocyte count simply means that person has a greater tolerance to UVB radiation, and it does not make them immune to the damage of UVA radiation.
Seeking shelter between the hours of 10am and 4pm is best if you want to avoid UV rays at their strongest. Keep in mind that windows only block UVB, not UVA rays. Hats and clothing made out of tightly woven materials in darker fabrics can help block or absorb UV rays; some clothing is even manufactured with a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) rating. UV light can damage your eyes as well, so wear sunglasses that offer UV protection.
Make wearing sunscreen a habit and reapply often! Sunscreens act as a chemical absorber or a physical filter to UV radiation. Only sunscreens labeled with broad spectrum or UVA/UVB protection contain ingredients that protect against both the surface damage of UVB and the deeper tissue damage caused by UVA radiation.
Calculate a sunscreen’s Sun Protection Factor (SPF): The sun protection factor number is a multiplier you combine with how long it takes for you to burn naturally. For example, if you burn after five minutes without protection, putting on SPF 30 will theoretically give you 150 minutes of burn-free fun in the sun. There are a lot of caveats to consider: sunscreen won’t last as long if you swim or sweat a lot, you need to apply it evenly and you need to use at least one and a half ounces (a shot glass full) every time you apply.
Video: Animation - Short and Long Term Effects of UV exposure
Hey y’all, since we had decent success in supporting Jhoj with his cancer treatment, I’m reaching out again for help. If you’ve followed me in the past, you have probably seen Jhoj’s story-due to advanced squamous cell carcinoma, he unfortunately had to have his left leg amputated above the knee but is now cancer-free.
His new goal is to afford a prosthetic leg, which will cost an estimated 389,000PHP, or approximately $7,700 as of today, December 2 2021. I’ve created a g*fundme for this cause, but you can also support by sharing this post and d*nating directly to Jhoj.
Melanoma skin cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK (2014), accounting for 4% of all new cases. In males, it is the sixth most common cancer in the UK (4% of all male cases), whilst it is the fifth most common cancer in females in the UK (4% of all new cases).
Sobering statistics, but it doesn’t mean you can’t rack up your steps outside. Wearing suncream can help protect against the harmful effects of the sun and slash your risk.
The Sun and Your Skin
A quick science lesson: Sunlight is made up of a spectrum of light waves. Some of those waves are harmless, but others can hurt. Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation can burn the surface of your skin, and ultraviolet A (UVA) can go deep, causing cellular damage that can lead to skin cancer
Any amount of sun exposure can be dangerous—86 percent of melanomaand90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers have been linked to ultraviolet radiation. And because damage is cumulative, the more sun exposure you get during your life, the higher your chances of developing cancer.
That’s why it’s important to stay covered whenever you’re outside. “I like to tell my patients, ‘If it’s daylight, UV rays are hitting you,’’ says Brooke A. Jackson, MD, board-certified dermatologist and director of Skin Wellness Dermatology Associates in Durham, NC.
Clouds and shade do offer some protection, but 40 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation can still reach the earth on an overcast day. If it’s light enough outside for you to see, the sun can see you, too.
What’s the Best Suncream?
Wide hats and dark clothing create the best defense, by far. But long-sleeve shirts and trousers in the heat isn’t very realistic. Wearing sun lotion is the next best thing.
Suncream comes in lots of forms (lotions, sprays, sticks, etc.) and touts all kinds of benefits (waterproof, anti-aging, and more!). Look for one that offers broad-spectrum protection—meaning, it can guard your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. And go for a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. (SPF is a measure of how much UVB radiation a product can block—SPF 15 can shield you from about 93 percent, SPF 30 about 97 percent, and SPF 50 about 98 percent. There is no rating for UVA protection.) Beyond that, they can all get the job done.
No, really, what’s the best? “The one you will actually use and remember to reapply,” says Jackson. To get maximum results from your sunscreen, you need to apply 1 oz. every two hours to all exposed body parts, ideally 15 to 20 minutes before heading outdoors, says Jackson. And if you’re using a spray, be sure to rub it in. “Think of it as connecting the dots, says Jackson. “Sprays produce droplets—they need to be connected with a good rub to give you complete coverage.”
Do You Really Need to Reapply Suncream?
Yes. Slathering the stuff on every two hours might seem like chore—not to mention a ploy to make that bottle empty faster, but it really is something you should do. Every. Two. Hours.
“Sunscreens with chemical ingredients, like avobenzone and benzophenone, work by absorbing UV rays—and they weaken with time,” says Jackson. “Physical ingredients, like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, sit on top of your skin and deflect radiation, but they can be comprised by swimming and toweling off.” No matter which kind of sunscreen you use, reapplying is a must.
Suncream and Your Fitbit Tracker
Some ingredients found in sunscreens, lotions, and other cosmetics may cause elastomer and nylon to become discolored or deteriorate with repeated contact. If you wear a wrist-based Fitbit tracker, it’s a good idea to remove it before you apply your sunscreen, and allow it to completely absorb before strapping your tracker back on. It only takes a couple of minutes to lather up and wait for sunscreen to sink in, so don’t worry about missing out on steps.
At the end of a sunny day—undoubtedly filled with stepping, sweating, and reapplying sunscreen, you can remove any build-up on your nylon or elastomer band by washing it with a soap-free cleanser, like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser or Aquanil; rinse thoroughly, and dry well.
This article is not intended to substitute for informed medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.
KIMBERLY DALY FARRELL
Kimberly Daly Farrell is the managing editor at Fitbit. A certified health coach and self-diagnosed running addict, Kimberly studied integrative nutrition and has completed three marathons.
