Anxious about going out in the sun since I had melanoma

Hi and a warm welcome to the melanoma group

I can fully understand how you feel about going out in the sun having been diagnosed with melanoma a year before you. Please don't feel silly asking what other people do or use to protect themselves as we've all been there.

The first summer after I was diagnosed I found myself crossing the street to walk in the shade but last year I vowed I was going to stop being quite so paranoid in the sun. Unfortunately, if you've had any type of skin cancer you're more at risk of getting another if you don't protect your skin from the sun. This doesn't mean that you have to stop doing things you used to enjoy doing in the sun, unless that was sunbathing, but you need to change some things to protect yourself.

When I was diagnosed I was told the following was necessary to protect myself in the sun and thought that you might find it helpful:

1. Stay out of the sun during the strongest time of the day (11am to 3pm) between April and October inclusive in the UK and in all months of the year in any other part of the world
2. When going outside wear long sleeved tops and trousers/skirts made from natural fibres like cotton
3. Wear a broad brimmed hat (brim should be at least 3 inches) and sun glasses
4. Sit in the shade and never sunbathe 
5. Any part of your body that is not covered, ie face, neck, back of hands should have a sun protection cream of SPF 50 that is effective against both UVA and UVB rays
6. Re-apply the sunscreen as directed on the bottle
7. Never use sunbeds
8. Don't use sunscreen instead of covering up

The first summer after I was diagnosed was particularly hard as I used to enjoy sitting in the sun. However, I quickly got used to the new regime and have a selection of hats to choose from when I go out. I also decided that I now needed a whole new wardrobe so went on a shopping spree. So, every cloud has a silver lining. 

I leave a hat permanently in the car so if I forget to take one with me I know I'll have one. Leaving a tube of sunscreen in the glove compartment is a good idea too.

Last year I went to Australia to visit my sister and I still went on the beach and swam in the sea. However, instead of sitting in the sun, I stayed in the shade and I only went in the sea for a short time. Ironically it's easier going on holiday somewhere like that because nearly everyone covers up as they're so aware of the damage the sun can do so I didn't feel a freak in long trousers and a hat!

Unfortunately I don't think that you'll find clothing that will keep you cool at the same time as keeping you covered. If you do please let me know! When I'm indoors I continue to wear shorts and skimpy t-shirts so that I stay cool but if I'm going to be out for the day then I cover up.

My friends know that I need to sit in the shade so if we're going to be sitting outside we try to look for a table which means that I can sit in the shade while they can sit in the sun if they want to. If I'm with people who don't know why I need to be in the shade I don't necessarily tell them but will just say something along the lines of "I prefer to sit in the shade" or "it's too hot for me in the sun".

As for sunscreen I think it's just trial and error until you find one you like. I personally use SunSense. I tried it when I was in Australia and liked it. You can buy it here over the internet but I haven't seen it in the shops. They do a wide range but I like their Daily Face SPF50+ for my face and their Ultra SPF50+ For the Family for anywhere else that's exposed.

I hope that helps a little but if you want to ask anything else please do.

x

Deleted

Hi  

Thank you for this information.

There are quite a lot of companies that sell sun protection clothing and I have recommended buying this type of clothing in the past to people if they have hobbies or jobs that don't allow them the luxury of avoiding the sun. 

Best wishes

x

Thank you for the wonderful advice - I think if I can find things and be a bit more prepared this summer, it’ll probably make me feel better! I will have a look at that suncream and the clothing too! At least I know have something to start with! Because with the suncream, there is so many to choose from and I feel I’ve tried so many already it can be a bit frustrating lol my mum did buy me a little frilly umbrella that is UV protected so that would be nice if I can’t find any shade. However, I need to not feel embrassed when using it as last summer I felt everyone was looking at me and wondering why I had an umbrella up in summer lol but at the end of the day, I shouldn’t really care what they think! 

Thanks for the advice again :-) 

It'll take you a while to get used to feeling normal wearing long sleeved tops,etc but I felt much better about it last year (my second summer) than I had the previous year. I think it helped that last year was so hot that everyone was heading for the shade!

I don't think twice about wearing a hat now and, in fact, I feel a little strange not wearing one from November to March! Of course you can still wear short skirts and sleeveless tops in the evening if you want to.

I have thought about getting a UV protected parasol but not got round to it yet. While I was out in Australia last year we stayed on an island just off the Brisbane coast that's popular with Japanese tourists. Most of the women were covered up and they nearly all had parasols. I have to say they looked really cool and far more sophisticated then those people who were wearing shorts, etc. 

Have a great but safe summer

x

Hi littlemiss. 

I feel exactly like you although was only recently diagnosed so it’s all still a bit fresh at the mo. I panic if the sun starts to shine and I haven’t put suncream on in preparation etc. I have just bought altruist from amazon which was designed by a dermatologist and comes highly recommended on most melanoma groups.

i think by your name signature that we might be the same age (unless you just picked random numbers!) and I’m struggling to find anything protective and ‘trendy’ for want on a better word so if you do find anything I’d be super interested to know. 

Mummy x

Hi melanoma group

This is my first ever post and I have to say, having just read through a few posts, that I am so glad I have found this forum. I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago and had a WLE two weeks ago. Since then I’ve been experiencing a lot of anxiety, a lot of which is around being in the sun and summertimes from now on. This is especially as I am very active and absolutely love being outdoors and sea swimming all summer. 

So thank you all very much for sharing all your experiences and connecting with one another. , I am particularly grateful you had the courage to ask the questions you did and believe there is never a silly question. There are always others that have the same thoughts, anxieties and questions. 

, I was recommended Alturist suncream by my Macmillan nurse, so I’d be grateful to hear how you find it. I get eczema (mildly now these days thankfully) so need to watch what I put on my skin. Regarding clothing that still makes you feel good. I will also be on the hunt so maybe we can share any good finds here. 

I guess it’s all going to take however long it takes to process the news and adjust to it all, and that in the long run will be better for our health. I’ve felt strange about the idea of being with my friends in the sun, as we live by the seaside and are often on the beach, so it feels odd to think about being covered up and I’m the shade somehow when they’re all in the sun. I guess that will just take some getting used to as well.

Nice to meet you all x

Hi and welcome to the online community

I'm sorry to hear that you've been diagnosed with melanoma but pleased to hear how useful you've found this group so far. 

How quickly you adjust to the diagnosis depends largely on the individual and there's no right or wrong way. I can understand how difficult you might find it next summer having to cover up on the beach but hopefully you'll soon adjust. It no longer bothers me to sit in the shade and my friends look for shady spots to sit when we go out so it's not a problem.

Please fell free to start your own thread if you want to ask any questions.

Best wishes

x

Hi

I was wondering how you were doing and if you'd had the results back from your WLE yet?

x