...who have spent many sessions over the years getting baked by the sun. So, as I lament over all the good surf I have missed the last couple of months and read all about the good sessions you guys have been having (In PeaJ's thread). I thought I would share this (Not to bum everyone out but just a heads up). Late last year, after procrastinating a couple of years, I went to a dermatologist to get a couple of moles checked out on my back. I have virtually spent my entire life in the sun...sunscreen back in the day was not used (until Zinc came out . One of the two came back positive for Melanoma (aggressive type of skin cancer). It was Melanoma in situ (stage 0....thankfully very early). It was removed, others where tested, and stitches in my back for weeks and weeks...hence the down time in the water. Anyway, two weeks ago, a friend died unexpectedly (he was very private about his situation). He died of advanced stage Melanoma. RIP Chris. The reason I procrastinated (which is lame) is, I have darker skin (native American heritage), and thought only fare skin was at risk. PSA: If you think you have an abnormal mole on your skin...get it checked out! Peace.
My husband died of melanoma a couple of years ago. It's an aggressive cancer, not to be messed around with. He put off having it checked, and by the time he did go, it was already in his lymph nodes.
condolences. mine was caught early; 7 year survivor am i....of melanoma. i see my derm 4 x year; if you're putting it off...i say...don't.
My siss had melanoma removed in her 20's, and she's fine. I have never been checked, and need to get on it. There are definitely a few weird freckles on my fair skin. Sorry for your loss Scarecrow, and JayD. Thanks for the reminder JayD.
Scary sh!t.. My wife just had melanoma. Same thing (stage 0), but if she wasn't pregnant she may not have had it checked out and it could have gotten way worse.
My Dad had a very small mole removed on his head that was melanoma. The doc thought he was good to go. Less than a year later it had spread throughout his stomach and intestines, and he was gone soon after that. Def good advice to get checked and stay on top of it as best you can.
yea...that's the thing. Actually getting it checked. My friend was getting his haircut and the lady cutting his hair noticed the abnormality on his scalp...then it was too late. The crazy part about it is, who checks out the side of their head.
Very sorry for your loss, Scarecrow. Another thing, make sure your dermatologist is thorough. My buddy who surfs is almost albino, his dad was our family derm since my grandpa, but he retired. He was a navy doctor, and was super meticulous. His son surfs all the time, has a summer condo in CR, and is still alive. Every skin doc I have seen since then seems to be in a big hurry. Make notes before you go in. I walked out once, and remembered the guy never checked me on my....I can't remember now , but you get the point.
My father went in a few month back for squamus (spelling) cell carcinoma. They go in and keep cutting till they get it all. He ended up with 70 some stitches and a cut about 8" long starting behind his ear and down his neck all for what was a small mole. Serious stuff.
To Doug, get on that ASAP. If anyone in your family has had it you are more likely. The difference between having a clean take off of melanoma and passing away can be just a year, it moves through the body that quick. I have had it twice. Zero downside in going and getting your spots looked at.
Thanks guys...I need to get checked..It's been two years. I am crazy about staying out of the sun. I wear a hat on all days even huge bombing days....but I have light skin and red hair. Ladies and Gents don't be too cool to wear a hat in the water you will be surprised the huge difference it makes. The dorky ones with the chin strap work fine and do the job. I use a simple truckers hat with a string tied to the strap which I put around my neck like a necklace. You'll be amazed by how used to it you get and it almost never falls off. On average I have one hat break a year and we take a months long trip to places with heavy surf every year. People are always saying to me "man I wish I had a hat right now I'm getting scorched" yet they never do. A full rashie and a hat and you are pretty well protected. Cheers!
Naw....just have a tattoo cover up any nasty looking moles. Be cool. What do doctors know, anyways?? If it itches, just wax it.
No way getting a mole map was the single greatest thing ever. I stood in a photography studio while this 22 year old woman took photos of my entire body. I stood there nude for like 25 minutes!! To top it off for liability Or whatever they had a nurse witnessIn there during the whole thing. 2 women (both attractive) mapping me, yup beats a tattoo anyday.
I mostly do dawn patrols or late afternoon sessions in the surf. Don't like spending much time in the midday sun with my freckled Irish skin. When I rarely do go out in the middle of the day I wear a thick, white zinc & titanium based sunscreen like Blue Lizard baby or Mustela.
I know the irish burn well.im like a Mexican,i have a natural tan and in the summer I just tan.i usually have 1 sunburn day(first day) but I don't really go to the beach in summer anymore.i work outside so im constantly in the sun.cant remember the last time I wore sunscreen.only if im laying out on the beach which I don't do anymore.I once had a fellow mehican ask me if I was from peru for some reason.i hate looking like an albino
