Scared of the sun post skin cancer scares

Noone?

I think the worry about being outside hits us all that have had any form of melanoma. I'm an outdoors person, but I don't sit out like I used to. I was diagnosed in Summer 2024 and didn't go out at all. This year I've been braver and got back to doing some of the things I love outdoors. Im more careful and cover up, I have started wearing shorts again and tshirts but just try to be sensible. I think with clothing the general rule is the tighter the weave, the better the sun protection eg the lighter the top/shirt or the more you can see through it the more UV gets through. Very unscientific I know, but if your really worried you can buy UV protection tops etc that have a UV rating....fine for the beach, or out walking all day but not really practical on a day to day basis.

Hi Ele76 and a very warm welcome to the group which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

It's natural to be worried about being out in the sun and I doubt there's anyone in the group who isn't wary. It can be really trying when everyone is saying what a fantastic summer we're having when those of us who have had melanoma are wishing for cloudy days!

When I was diagnosed I was given the following advice to protect myself in the sun:

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

So you'll see that you should be wearing clothing as your first line of defence and not relying on sunscreen. As WingNut has said, the general rule is that the tighter the weave in clothing the better. Basically, if you can see through it it won't protect you against the sun's harmful rays but if you can't see through it it will.

My first summer after diagnosis I spent all my time in the shade, even crisscrossing the road to stay in the shade when walking. I don't do that now but I do remain covered up. Yes, I get hot but it's a small price to pay to stay safe.

I hope that makes sense

Anne

Thanks both. Do you know how much cover a new wound should have? It was a fairly thin top but dark polyester which I've read is better and I was probably only in moderate UV for an hour or so then low UV later on in afternoon. Im quite panicked about it but does that sound reasonable? The hospital gave absolutely no advice about wound sun protection which seems odd.

Wingnut do you usually just wear normal clothes day to day?

All my tops seem see through when held up to the light!!

A new wound should have just as much cover as the rest of your skin, so if you were wearing suitable clothing over it that should be okay.

I wear normal clothes every day but make sure that they're not see through. I do have some UV tops, mine are by Solbari, which I wear when I go walking as they're long sleeved and you can even put your thumb through a hole in the end of the arm to pull them over the back of your hand.

There are many garments that are UPF50 plus made by a whole range of companies. Solbari, already mentioned, are excellent making a whole range of clothes albeit quite expensive. Rohan do a lot that are UPF 40. I'm a keen cyclist and gardener and I just make sure I'm covered and on the little skin left exposed I use Lifejacket suncream. Being a bloke I'm not too fussed that I look a bit of a wally wearing arm and leg skins when out on the bike in the sun but then it does mean I'm protected. All my 'normal' cycling stuff is  certified UPF50 plus. My melanoma was in situ and I've had 2 other scares which turned out to be of no significance. My message, for what it's worth, is enjoy your life but take precautions. Good luck and best wishes.

Thank you so much everyone for all the great tips.

Are you all just wearing the SPF clothing since diagnosis? I was a child of the 70s so got burned then a bit but thought I had been sun sensible for the last few decades yet it's never occurred to me to get SPF clothing or things like SPF lip balm, just cover up shoulders, avoid very hot sun / midday etc, factor 50 suncream on exposed bits. Full of regret for not doing more before now. 

The majority of the time I wear ordinary clothing but when outside it's long sleeved tops coupled with trousers or long skirts plus a hat and sunglasses.

I hear you! I am the same. The sunshine has always been my happy place. I'm doing all the stuff we're suppose to do to cover up and keeping in the shade as much as I can but it is scary. And I feel like I'm mourning the person I was - outdoors and as a child of the sun. For the first time - ever -  I'm actually embracing the colder wet weather. I hope we both find it easier as time goes on. 

I'm the same, I moved to Brighton the year before I got melanoma so I could spend my time laying on the beach, but that's all changed now! However, the Macmillan nurse did say to me, look you've got to still live your life, and the consultant said there's no need to live like a vampire! So I am wearing t-shirts again now, long sleeved tops in a heatwave were making me too depressed! So I will go out in a t-shirt with sunscreen on my arms, just avoiding being in the direct sun in peak hours. I always wear long trousers as my melanoma was on my lower leg, so I do cover up the scar and the hole in my leg lol! Xx