Cancer from tanning

[pomtzu]

In my younger day, I was one that was in pursuit of that perfect tan. I spent hour upon hour laying in the sun without sunblock - in the yard, at the pool, by the ocean. I usually got a good burn at least once each season, and then tanned absolutely beautifully the rest of the time.

As I got older, I found it totally boring to be laying around in the sun, and usually after about a half hour, I was done. Add to that, I lost my tolerance of being in the sun much and the heat really bothered me. Unless I could lay on a raft in the pool, then I just avoided being in the sun altogether.

Tanning beds - not for me - and they seem to be worse than the actual sun from what I have read.

Both my father and brother had skin cancer on their backs. This came from working outside shirtless, and spending a lot of time on their boats in the summer. Add to that, my brother lived in FL for about 40 years, and got a longer and stronger dose of it than my New England father ever did.

I guess I consider myself fortunate that I never had any skin issues from my overexposure to the sun when I was younger, and the little bit that I do get out in the summer now, gives me enough of a tan to look "healthy" without going about it in an unhealthy way.

Best wishes to your friend, Marigold. Hoping that all works out well for her.


ETA - fortunately, both my father's and brother's were caught early - removed - and no recurrence.

[wombat2u2004]

I get checked out a lot.
Because my skin is very fair, I burn very easily and get quite a few skin cancers. So I go to my doctors just down the road about every three months, and she burns off any that she finds.
A couple of months ago I had one cut out of my right arm, five stitches I got.

I make an appointment at the Skin Cancer Clinic once a year at least, and drive the 1.5 hour distance. They do the full body check.

Trick is, to get rid of the earlier types of skin cancers before they turn into melanoma.

[Alysser]

My mom had not only breast cancer, but a less then a year later she got melanoma - not from tanning. She never did that. Luckily, it was the much less severe and very minor. I'm so sorry your young friend has to deal with this. Good thoughts going out to her, and her friends and family during this time. Please keep us updated on the matter.

[Kalei]

Hi Marigold, thanks for sharing about your friend with us.

I use to tan myself for about a year, and I have very pale skin, though I always tanned slowly but nicely. After awhile, I noticed I had new little moles coming out of my skin around my chest and neck, and that I was also getting more freckles on my arm and face.

Once I got pretty dark I also found that there are many spots on my back that have no coloration...so I looked like a cheetah from the back with my white spots.

Anyways, I decided after that to stop tanning and got those moles cut off by the doctor. I use to have the attitude as well that tanning isn't that bad and they say its better than the sun...but its not. It injures your skin way faster than our actual sun can...and it does cause cancer.

I've found that fair skinned people can be even prettier than tanned people If you want to match your fair skin well, find the perfect hair color to compliment your skin tone and the right color clothes, and the perfect make up and a pale skinned person can look so natural and beautiful

What made me finally stop tanning was when my friend said "Don't worry Kalei...White is where its at!" lol it made me laugh and realize I should love my natural color.

Well, I am sending many prayers for your friend that her surgery will go well and the cancer has not and will not spread...if she comes out all ok...tell her no more tanning and that white is where it's at!