Skin cancer

Hi and welcome to the online community

I'm sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with skin cancer a year ago.

Before I reply further can I ask if it was melanoma? 

x 

Hi latchbrook 

yes it was melanoma 

I can completely understand how you feel coming to the end of your check-ups . As you've probably seen from my profile, I was diagnosed with melanoma on my arm two and a half years ago so I'm currently half way through my check-ups which last for 5 years. During this time I know I can  ring my SCNS at any time I'm concerned and I'll be sitting in front of my consultant a few days later. It's very reassuring this 'comfort blanket' and I'm sure I'll feel like you do in two and a half years time.

However, the advantage you have over most of the general population is that you know what to look for and how to check yourself. I'm sure you'll spot anything very quickly and, consequently, get yourself referred very quickly. As you know melanoma that is caught early has a very good chance of being cured with surgery.

I don't know how you check yourself now but I have many moles so my consultant got me to take photos of my body, eg upper right arm, lower left front leg, back, etc and I use these photos to compare against my skin when I check it over once a month. If you too have a lot of moles this way of checking might be helpful to you to.

It's also perfectly normal to worry about the cancer coming back, or getting another one, and you've only had a year since you were diagnosed. I think you'll find that as time passes you'll feel more confident but it takes a while to trust your body again.

I wish you all the best for the future and remember, stay safe in the sun

Yes I am like you I have many moles and I take photos every month but sometimes I get myself worked up because I think I see changes but there isn’t 

I don’t want summer to come I know that’s selfish of me but I am so scared because I know when you have had melanoma your risk is a lot higher of getting skin cancer again 

maybe I need to write a list of questions to ask my consultant to put my mind at rest when I next go.

thank you latchbrook for taking to me xx 

I don't think you need to take photos every month . Just use the last ones that you took and then compare your skin to them each month. I only take a new photo if something appears which wasn't there before so that I can see if it changes. Usually it's just a blemish and a week later it's gone so I delete the photo.

I know what you mean about the approaching summer. Everyone else is out there having fun while we feel we need to be careful. The first summer after I was diagnosed I even crossed the street to stay in the shade but last year I wasn't as paranoid. However, I do follow these rules:

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 at least every 2 hours
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!

Writing down the questions you want to ask your consultant is a good idea and I hope that he'll be able to reassure you.

x

Dear Nicky 70

The journey I went through last year was different to yours but I had a procedure to remove a mole and then endured 4.5 months worth of treatment on my left cheek (face!).  I had to stay out of the sun and, if you remember, we had the best summer here in the UK for years (worst for me!).  I spent the whole of the summer totally paranoid when I saw that it was sunny outside and used to spend my time hiding under a hat, an umbrella and trying to walk in the shade at all times.

A year on and I am much more relaxed about it all - although I am still very careful.  As time passes, you might find that the whole debacle you are going through eases slightly.  I also went to the Mole Clinic to get my moles checked out (a huge comfort blanket for me) which is something my consultant suggested I do every 9-12 months.

Good luck.

Rebecca xx

Hi Rebecca,

thanks for your kind words xx

i have been on some sites and reading about skin cancer and I think I have just scared myself and it was something my nurse told me not to. I do hope I can come more relaxed as time goes on because at the moment I am stressing myself out and I am so scared I am going to get skin cancer again 

i know my risks are higher but I have just got to learn to relax a little bit more about it. 

Nicky xx

Hello Nicky

Please don't be too hard on yourself - it is very normal to be worried.  When I went through what I went through, it is all I could think about.  I was constantly looking in the mirror at my scar/how my skin reacted to the cream I then had to use, I was totally paranoid about the sun, totally paranoid about my moles and it totally took over my life.  However, with time, all that has gone away and I am sure and hope that over time you can feel a bit more relaxed about it.

Google ... I am afraid all of us realise too late that this is best avoided as it makes the worrying worse!!! 

Rebecca xx