Melanoma

Hi 314638 and a very warm welcome to the group

It's good to hear that you want to protect your skin with as high a SFP as possible. However, it's just as important to make sure you're following these recommendations and only use sunscreen on the parts of your body that can't be covered, eg. face, back of hands.

• wear close weave cotton clothing in the sun
• wear long sleeves and trousers/skirts
• wear a hat with a wide brim that shades your face and neck 
• wear sunglasses that give 100% UV protection
• use a high factor sunscreen on any bits of exposed skin (SPF 30 or 50 ideally)
• spend time in the shade when the sun is at it's strongest (usually between 11am and 3pm in the UK) and at all times in other parts of the world
• never sunbathe 
• never use a sunbed

It's natural to be fearful about exposing yourself to the sun when you've had a melanoma diagnosis. I remember in the early days I developed vampire tendencies, even crossing to the shady side of the street if out and about to avoid exposing my skin! Over time I've become less fearful and adopted a new outlook to the sun. For example, I now automatically chose a shady spot to sit in and I took the opportunity of buying a whole new wardrobe so I could follow the recommendation above.

So in answer to your question, yes you can spend some time in the sun but it's advisable to keep covered up when you do.

I hope you have a lovely holiday

I had one removed from my jaw area a year ago, rather a large area so needed a skin flap. It's healed very well and the scar is hardly noticeable. I was never a sun worshipper, used factor 50, sun hat and I cannot understand how I got it at all ... I didn't go abroad to a sunny place until about 10 years ago (and then it was in October). It developed slowly over 10 years in an area I was constantly told was "hyperpigmentation" ... Since then I always use factor 50 on my face every day. I too am off on a cruise in January to the Caribbean and yes I'm apprehensive. I do like the warmth but I definitely won't be sun-bathing as such. I've an appointment for my next scan next month and I intend to ask them about this ... I'm 72 but as a child I remember my mum coating me in sun cream (both my parents tanned very easily but I have the fair skin of my grandmother). 

I'll keep an eye on this thread for useful info! PS I'm a solo traveller and of course putting sun cream on my back is difficult ... I've tried applying it with a handled bath back sponge ... better than nothing!

Thank you for the above! We were typing at the same time!!!

www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../caring-for-your-skin