Dog Community

FYI - Skin Cancer

Posted : 6/1/2006 9:08:02 PM

DH gets little helpful e-mails & passes them on to me. I thought this one was worth passing on.

As the days get longer and warmer, you#%92re probably thinking about fun in the sun. But, if you#%92re soaking up some rays, you may get more than you bargain for. Exposure to ultraviolet rays-from direct sunlight or tanning beds-has been linked to skin cancer. Protect yourself from the sun#%92s harmful ways-and learn to recognize the signs of skin cancer so you can improve your odds of beating it.

See your healthcare practitioner if you have any possible signs of skin cancer, such as:
An open sore that bleeds, oozes, or crusts and remains open for three or more weeks
A reddish patch or irritated area
A shiny bump, or nodule, that is pearly or translucent and is often pink, red, or white
A pink growth with a slightly elevated rolled border and a crusted indentation in the center
A scar-like area that is white, yellow or waxy, and often has poorly defined borders
A wart-like growth that crusts and occasionally bleeds
Asymmetrical mole: a line through the middle would not create matching halves
Uneven borders on moles
Moles that are not uniform in color
Moles larger than a pencil eraser in diameter

Although these symptoms are signs of skin cancer, they may also indicate another health problem. Don#%92t panic - talk to your healthcare practitioner about getting your health on track.

griffinej5

Posted : 6/1/2006 9:16:33 PM

Good stuff to know. I think the thing at the doctors to determine whether or not you should be worried about a growth is ABCD- Asymmetrical, Border, Color, and Diameter. If it's assymetrical, has a jagged border, isn't all one color, I think diameter larger than a pencil eraser.
Wear sunblock people. Everyday. Seriously. If you don't think it's important, go to dermatologist and ask them to show you some pictures of skin cancer. I was convinced by it.

agilebasenji

Posted : 6/1/2006 9:46:09 PM

And remember to check your SO's back and hard to see places. And vice-versa.

Sera_J

Posted : 6/2/2006 4:45:27 AM

Good info, Annie. Although, now I'm obsessing about a few moles! [sm=blush.gif]

magilacudy

Posted : 6/2/2006 6:24:37 AM

My family is covered with moles. (did you ever see the blue collar, where Larry the Cable guy says "my sister is covered with moles." ?)

No really we have so many. My daughter was born with a mole(beauty mark) on her cheek. It peeled off when she was 2, then grew back. I freaked. So I told the Dr about this and he said it was fine. It still makes me nervous. My husband and I have so many, we are always checking.

He has an appointment today. He has dark tan parts on his face that are in patches. So he has to get that checked out.

gradyupmybutt

Posted : 6/2/2006 7:08:02 AM

I've had 2 cancers removed & my FIL had a melanoma that got out of control & went to his lymphnodes. Fortunately he survived but it was a wake-up for all of us.

marlania

Posted : 6/3/2006 10:16:55 PM

ORIGINAL: angeltrudelle
My family is covered with moles. (did you ever see the blue collar, where Larry the Cable guy says "my sister is covered with moles." ?)

...then she found religion and we called her Holy Moley.[sm=biggrin.gif]

I'm probably one of the whitest-skinned people I know. I burn completely through sunblock, and believe it, I slop myself with in it because I know how badly I burn. I got burnt two weeks in a row, and I'm still paying for it. Can anyone suggest a sunblock that won't allow me to burn so much? (I used SPF 50 a few days ago, and I still blistered.)

loveukaykay

Posted : 6/4/2006 12:10:02 AM

I just had five moles removed which came back positive, so we then excised (sp)... I just got my stitches out Friday. We are going to wait until the end of the summer to remove the rest because I dont like having the bandainds all over nad not being able to swim.

Its a bit scary, but you just need to stay on top of it and get checked every 6 months or so by the same doctor.

You know, I have read those guidelines about which are bad, but you'd be surprised at which ones on me were considered bad, and which were left. I wouldnt trust my own looking based on that, you have to have a doctor look at them.

gradyupmybutt

Posted : 6/4/2006 3:35:52 PM

Amy, my Dermo & disagreed on the second mole I had removed. It fit the pattern or lack there of that I've always thought were "bad". I've watched it grow. He wanted to "keep an eye on it". I said pooh! I want it gone. I didn't know what was happening under the mole & didn't want to risk it. So for peace of mind I had it removed. This was right after my FIL had been diagnosed with melanoma that spread to some of his lymphnodes. I guess I was a little jumpy about it but I feel better now that it's gone.

jeano

Posted : 6/5/2006 4:23:34 AM

I spent 20 years at a mile high altitude in the high desert. I've had a squamous cell bit taken off my hand, and I know I have a bit on my face that needs to go but I can't afford to go to the doctor!

Auuuugggghhh.

It's probably going to cost somewhere in the vicinity of $250-$500. Going to a regular doctor costs $150 just for an office visit. :-( If you ever move to Fairbanks, Alaska, either be rich or have medical insurance.

I'm thinking of going in and asking if he'll let me make monthly payments if he can take care of the tiny bit that's on my face.

And everyone, the dermatologist in Albuquerque that my son saw told me that oddly enough, people often get melanoma BETWEEN THEIR TOES. So when you are checking yourself and each other out for weird spots, be sure to check every-blinking-where!

loveukaykay

Posted : 6/5/2006 11:53:36 AM

I agree with you Annie, I have some that *I* dont like that my doc wants to leave, but she did say she would be more than happy to take them if they worry me. Im going to do the ones she picked out first and then I may have her get the ones I think look like trouble. Its so hard to know, but I guess while Im at it I may as well get them all...

Did you get a biopsy on it?