May marks Skin Cancer Awareness Month, so to recognise this I thought I’d put the spotlight on our Skin cancer and Melanoma groups, and highlight a few really positive, helpful and interesting discussions that have been going on in the groups.
I’ve also put together a few ‘top tips’ that members of these groups have been sharing – but if you’re affected by skin cancer, go ahead and share your tips of thoughts with us in the comments section below.
Discussions:
"It’s reassuring to see how well skin can potentially heal."
One year post-surgery – Sue, known to the Skin cancer group as Ess, had an operation for BCC removal in November 2017 – this included a skin graft. She’s shared several positive photos of her progress and recovery since then. “Your photos give others hope that the skin does heal”, and “it’s reassuring to see how well skin can potentially heal”, have been the responses from a two of our members.”
Reflecting back on last May - KTatHome (or KT as some of you might know her as), posted in our Melanoma group earlier this month to air her thoughts as she awaits further scan results. Other members responded to KT empathising with the anxiety awaiting results can bring, sharing their stories and experiences too. Fortunately for KT, the results came back with “no measurable disease on my scans”.
New diagnosis and scared! – Sue (another Sue this time), also known as xsunnysuex, came to the Skin cancer group looking for support following a diagnosis earlier this month. Click through to take a look at the outpouring of support, guidance and well wishes that followed.
“Everything you say describes how I’m feeling…the title is perfect!”
Waiting, worrying, waiting, worrying… – Niloc gets in touch with the group to talk through his thoughts, worries and frustrations as he awaits results. “I’ve been a nervous wreck for the past 5 weeks, my vivid imagination running riot” – and Niloc isn’t the only one who’s felt this way, as several other members respond offering support, and talking about how they’ve felt the same way at times; “Everything you say describes how I’m feeling…the title is perfect!”
Top tips:
“Staying off Google is probably my best bit of advice as the information you'll find is generally out of date plus people only post the scariest stories not when they discovered that their mole was benign. If you want to do any research, then stay on sites like this one or Cancer Research UK. While you're waiting for your results, which can take up to 4 weeks to come back, try to find some things to help distract yourself. Indulge a favourite past time, watch box sets, clean the house from top to bottom (mine needs doing if yours is already done), etc. I think you get the general idea!” (latchbrook)
“This website and forum is such a great resource for people in our position. For the first few months of diagnosis my wife and I flailed around on the internet looking for information, some of which was wrong, some of which was out of date, and it was very difficult to discern which was which.” (Sunflower355)
"Googling is a definite no no..."
“Googling is a definite no no, as that's just guaranteed to turn you into a quivering jelly…” (Niloc)
“I had a paramedian forehead flap a year ago to rebuild the tip of my nose after BCC. When the surgeon was happy I went and chatted to Clinique in a local store as I have lots of allergies. They colour matched and showed me how to use their camouflage make up and I have been happy with it ever since. Via my local Dermatology dept. I have also accessed an NHS camouflage nurse who showed me Dermablend. There are other types available, for example veil, but that was the only one that was compatible with my allergies. I also enquired via the organisation Changing Faces who agreed that my allergies precluded all but the two I have found.” (Mooomm)
"I also went to the gym regularly, did yoga and ate well, just to make myself feel better.”
“I kept myself busy and fortunately I have a very busy job which helped. I also went to the gym regularly, did yoga and ate well, just to make myself feel better.” (Rebecca Rebecca)
“Skin graft partially seemed to take, had black scab on tip of nose but it was healing underneath. It took 3 months to start looking ok,,so be patient with yourself. IT WILL BE OK! YOU will be the worst critic of your appearance, not others...” (Lattelover)
“I've just popped in on this discussion to ask if you are aware of Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisors? They have been specially trained by Macmillan’s and Boots on how to look good after cancer treatment. Have a look at the link above and read more about it and find out if there is branch near to you that you could visit for advice.” (Bodach)
“In my first days, when I really was tottering at the end of the world, I phoned the Macmillan helpline and talked to a nurse. I so thoroughly recommend doing that, because these people are not only knowledgeable, but know exactly how we are feeling. Phoning them that once gave me that little bit of support that helped see me through the past weeks.” (Niloc)
If you’d like to learn more about the signs, symptoms and how best to protect your skin, our Information team recently shared a blog post covering all this – you can find it here. You can also find more on skin cancer, the various types and treatment on the relevant page of our website here.
