HOW MUCH SUN EXPOSURE AFTER STAGE 1 DIAGNOSIS

Carol,

Very high SPF sunscreen, alternate time outside (in the sun) with inside or shade. Re-apply frequently, and have your husband help you cover everything (tops of feet, ears,  backs of hands,etc).

Wear a broad brimmed hat, re-apply sunscreen even more often (notice the theme?).

Relax, enjoy your family and the trip. We here on this board are painfully aware that life is short, so focus on the happy times.

You can use this as a great time to be a living example to many family members, so go for it.

We can't live in black caves for the rest of our lives, but neither should we say "what the hell" and go bake on a beach between 10 -2 with no sunscreen!

Between high SPF sunscreen, alternating time (how about a moonlit canoe adventure?), and the UV protective clothing, you should be fine. Healthy activity can only help, mentally and physically.

TracyLee

Carol,

Very high SPF sunscreen, alternate time outside (in the sun) with inside or shade. Re-apply frequently, and have your husband help you cover everything (tops of feet, ears,  backs of hands,etc).

Wear a broad brimmed hat, re-apply sunscreen even more often (notice the theme?).

Relax, enjoy your family and the trip. We here on this board are painfully aware that life is short, so focus on the happy times.

You can use this as a great time to be a living example to many family members, so go for it.

We can't live in black caves for the rest of our lives, but neither should we say "what the hell" and go bake on a beach between 10 -2 with no sunscreen!

Between high SPF sunscreen, alternating time (how about a moonlit canoe adventure?), and the UV protective clothing, you should be fine. Healthy activity can only help, mentally and physically.

TracyLee

Carol,

While you are at a higher risk, only 8% of the melanoma population gets a 2nd primary. Since 1979 I've had 6 or 7 with many atypicals. I haven't had a new one in over 8 years. For 5 of those years we lived at the beach. I'm not going to try and tell you that I didn't go out and sit by the water!  I did apply sunscreen librally. I always wore a cover up but it wasn't long sleeve. I only 1 time in those 5 years got a sunburn and it wasn't what I would call a sunburn.  I mostly went early mornings and late afternoons when the sun wasn't at it's highest.

Those who are even more predisposed are those who have a hereditary factor.  There are many types of clothes now that have spf factors, or make sure your clothes have a tight weave. 

I can't imagine anyone living their life inside of the walls of their house and not going out to enjoy life. Just be sun smart, you don't have to go crazy. I'm sure I'll get blasted by some but I'm also sure that many on this board still go out in the sun.

Linda

stage IV since 06,  dealing with mel since 1979

Carol,

While you are at a higher risk, only 8% of the melanoma population gets a 2nd primary. Since 1979 I've had 6 or 7 with many atypicals. I haven't had a new one in over 8 years. For 5 of those years we lived at the beach. I'm not going to try and tell you that I didn't go out and sit by the water!  I did apply sunscreen librally. I always wore a cover up but it wasn't long sleeve. I only 1 time in those 5 years got a sunburn and it wasn't what I would call a sunburn.  I mostly went early mornings and late afternoons when the sun wasn't at it's highest.

Those who are even more predisposed are those who have a hereditary factor.  There are many types of clothes now that have spf factors, or make sure your clothes have a tight weave. 

I can't imagine anyone living their life inside of the walls of their house and not going out to enjoy life. Just be sun smart, you don't have to go crazy. I'm sure I'll get blasted by some but I'm also sure that many on this board still go out in the sun.

Linda

stage IV since 06,  dealing with mel since 1979

Living with a melanoma diagnosis is all about being sun smart.  I've been stage I for 19 years but had multiple melanoma primaries.  I do everything I did before a diagnosis.  IF I have the option to do things earlier in the morning or later in the day, that's what I do.  But if something is happening midday that I want to be a part of, I do it!  I just wear more clothing.  I'm not an overly big fan of sunscreen.  I wear it if I have no other options.  I prefer to cover up, use umbrellas, large hats, etc.  I refuse to let melanoma run my life.  I just try to do everything a little more sun smart than I did before. 

Best wishes,

Janner

Living with a melanoma diagnosis is all about being sun smart.  I've been stage I for 19 years but had multiple melanoma primaries.  I do everything I did before a diagnosis.  IF I have the option to do things earlier in the morning or later in the day, that's what I do.  But if something is happening midday that I want to be a part of, I do it!  I just wear more clothing.  I'm not an overly big fan of sunscreen.  I wear it if I have no other options.  I prefer to cover up, use umbrellas, large hats, etc.  I refuse to let melanoma run my life.  I just try to do everything a little more sun smart than I did before. 

Best wishes,

Janner

I have yet to see ANY evidence that sun exposure will lead to a progression of disease. What sun exposure leads to is a higher risk of another primary melanoma.

I had 3 primaries back in 1983 and was very careful in the sun for 20 yrs and progressed anyway. In my opinion, if one is going to progress, they are, and the sun has little to do with it. Not much you can do about that except try to boost your immune system. But as others have mentioned, your chance of advancing are slim, and your chances of another melanoma are slim.

To help ward off another primary melanoma, and other more common skin cancers,  you should exercise caution..use sunscreen, and even more important (I think) is to learn to become a shade seeker. Avoid sunburns! I always feel like I have failed a little if I get a sunburn. Like a few weeks ago, when we had our first real sun up here in the gloomy Northwest, I got a little burn on the tops of my feet between my sandels! So now I have this tanned stripe on my feet and it bugs me every time I see it. a tiny failure in protection.

But you can do a pretty fine job of carrying on with your normal swimming, canoeing, mountain climbing and whatever else you want to do if you use the right protection, uv clothing, hats, long sleeves, sunscreen. Maybe during those times that you are not actively doing one of those things, but still outside, look for shade. try to avoid those really hot hours when you can, but don't let it wreck your life!

I shudder to think of the things I would have missed over the last 23 yrs in my life if I had spent it completely avoiding the sun.

I have yet to see ANY evidence that sun exposure will lead to a progression of disease. What sun exposure leads to is a higher risk of another primary melanoma.

I had 3 primaries back in 1983 and was very careful in the sun for 20 yrs and progressed anyway. In my opinion, if one is going to progress, they are, and the sun has little to do with it. Not much you can do about that except try to boost your immune system. But as others have mentioned, your chance of advancing are slim, and your chances of another melanoma are slim.

To help ward off another primary melanoma, and other more common skin cancers,  you should exercise caution..use sunscreen, and even more important (I think) is to learn to become a shade seeker. Avoid sunburns! I always feel like I have failed a little if I get a sunburn. Like a few weeks ago, when we had our first real sun up here in the gloomy Northwest, I got a little burn on the tops of my feet between my sandels! So now I have this tanned stripe on my feet and it bugs me every time I see it. a tiny failure in protection.

But you can do a pretty fine job of carrying on with your normal swimming, canoeing, mountain climbing and whatever else you want to do if you use the right protection, uv clothing, hats, long sleeves, sunscreen. Maybe during those times that you are not actively doing one of those things, but still outside, look for shade. try to avoid those really hot hours when you can, but don't let it wreck your life!

I shudder to think of the things I would have missed over the last 23 yrs in my life if I had spent it completely avoiding the sun.

Wow, my Dermatologist must be very laid back.  I can't believe yours said to avoid ALL sun!  I go to the pool nearly every day with my children. I do sit in the shade when I can, and of course wear sunblock and a hat.  If I feel too much warmth from the sun I'll put my cover up on.  I do still wear a bikini. My doc sent me home with an information sheet at my last appt that says its NOT necessary or even recommended to wear SPF over 30.  Anything over 30 doesn't work as well as you would think they would, and it creates a false sense of security  – not to mention contains more chemicals.  My derm says – Live your life, be sun safe, but don't be afraid of the sun.  I actually have some tan lines this summer.  They are hard to avoid when you are at the pool everyday- even with sunscreen on.  Our summers are short and I cannot deny my kids the joy of summer – which to me is sun, sand, pools, beach, and a slushy on a hot day. 

Wow, my Dermatologist must be very laid back.  I can't believe yours said to avoid ALL sun!  I go to the pool nearly every day with my children. I do sit in the shade when I can, and of course wear sunblock and a hat.  If I feel too much warmth from the sun I'll put my cover up on.  I do still wear a bikini. My doc sent me home with an information sheet at my last appt that says its NOT necessary or even recommended to wear SPF over 30.  Anything over 30 doesn't work as well as you would think they would, and it creates a false sense of security  – not to mention contains more chemicals.  My derm says – Live your life, be sun safe, but don't be afraid of the sun.  I actually have some tan lines this summer.  They are hard to avoid when you are at the pool everyday- even with sunscreen on.  Our summers are short and I cannot deny my kids the joy of summer – which to me is sun, sand, pools, beach, and a slushy on a hot day. 

Hi Carol,

I read that there is a irony with sun and Melanoma.  Although being in the sun and getting sun burned can cause Melanoma, the sun offers us well needed Vitamin D with has excellent cancer fighting abilities!  So I think the key is to use sunscreen but don't illiminate the sun out of your life!!  I certainly will be soaking in about 10-15 minutes of sun every day!!

Denise

Hi Carol,

I read that there is a irony with sun and Melanoma.  Although being in the sun and getting sun burned can cause Melanoma, the sun offers us well needed Vitamin D with has excellent cancer fighting abilities!  So I think the key is to use sunscreen but don't illiminate the sun out of your life!!  I certainly will be soaking in about 10-15 minutes of sun every day!!

Denise

After stage 1 diagnosis one should not go anywhere in the sun. If it is very important than proper sun protection should be must. Good sunscreens, sun hats and sunglasses are very important. Melanoma also occurs in the eye, so proper eye protection is very important. Try wearing UV protected sunglasses. Suppliers like Oakley, city sunglasses (http://www.citysunglass.com) and more offer great quality UV protected sunglasses.

After stage 1 diagnosis one should not go anywhere in the sun. If it is very important than proper sun protection should be must. Good sunscreens, sun hats and sunglasses are very important. Melanoma also occurs in the eye, so proper eye protection is very important. Try wearing UV protected sunglasses. Suppliers like Oakley, city sunglasses (http://www.citysunglass.com) and more offer great quality UV protected sunglasses.

After stage 1 diagnosis one should not go anywhere in the sun. If it is very important than proper sun protection should be must. Good sunscreens, sun hats and sunglasses are very important. Melanoma also occurs in the eye, so proper eye protection is very important. Try wearing UV protected sunglasses. Suppliers like Oakley, city sunglasses (http://www.citysunglass.com) and more offer great quality UV protected sunglasses.