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Post by loveshoes on Mar 27, 2012 12:46:57 GMT -5
I wanted to post briefly about the risks for us endo gals and melanoma. We are at higher risk for 4 types of cancer, breast, hon hodgkins lymphoma, ovarian cancer and skin cancer. I think it’s so important to team up with a good dermatologist and have an annual skin check. I have been doing this for years now and I’m thankful that I do. I am typing this with 3 stitches in my stomach and 3 in my back from another set of suspicious looking ‘beauty marks’ that were removed last week. This is my 2nd go at this – 2 years ago had 2 others removed, 1 came back mildly dysplastic ( pre cancer ). We can’t be too careful ladies! Sunscreen with ZINC is very important – better yet, stay out of the sun! A tan isn’t worth the risk! Does anyone else get a regular full body check for skin cancer?
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Post by 1234 on Mar 27, 2012 17:10:34 GMT -5
I don't, but it's something I'm REALLY careful about, as a pasty-white redhead. However, I'm outside a lot and I seem to get burnt much more than I should, given all the sunscreen I wear. It's certainly a good reminder. Thanks!
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Post by Karen on Mar 27, 2012 18:18:31 GMT -5
The endo book in my signature goes into a lot of detail about the cancer/endo link. All the more reasons why we should take care of our bodies and be aware of every little change!
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Post by JC on Mar 28, 2012 6:57:07 GMT -5
I used to love being out in the sun and getting a tan. I think that's my southern California influence. But for the last couple of years I have been extremely careful and wear sunscreen all the time. If I want a tan now I just fake-bake with those Loreal tan towels. I just worry that I've already done too much damage. I've been wanting to go to the derm to check some spots out but haven't found the time. I'll probably get to them eventually.
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Post by loveshoes on Mar 29, 2012 14:58:08 GMT -5
Just a quick update, my dermo office just called and based on the 2 “beauty marks” they removed, the one on my stomach came back as Mild dysplastic nevus ( atypical mole ). They didn’t get enough out so I have to go next week for a larger size punch. Fun times. That will be another 12 days of stitches and I LOVE to take baths at night….this has already been torture and I’m only 7 days into it. I go back next week Tuesday for the re punch. Well, ladies, I can’t preach this enough, GO TO THE DERMO 1x a year and get a FULL BODY CHECK. It’s critical and can literally save your life! It seems from what I have found online that when you have this nevus you have a higher chance for developing melanoma. I’m confused because if they are removing it and the borders are clear wouldn’t that mean that you have completely eliminated the risk in that particular area? It’s scary b/c even if you have a skin check every 6 mths or year they said they still see patients with melanoma! The best thing to do is take pictures of yourself nude by section and use those photos to compare to yourself every month – the sooner you see a change in a mole, color, border, size go get it checked!
I hope this helps at least 1 person out there that has been putting off going to the dermo!
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Post by batgirl on Mar 31, 2012 23:45:36 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm at a crazy high risk already because my dad has had all three types of skin cancer. I'm kinda goth, so I pride myself on my pale skin to the point where I have a vitamin D deficiency. I'm due for my annual full body screening though - can't be too careful! If it helps, Target has some adorable floppy summer hats right now!
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Post by loveshoes on Apr 3, 2012 15:16:08 GMT -5
Round 2 of stitches for me, punch biopsy done this afternoon. I saw a different dermo today in the office and she said even though people come for annual or semi annual full body checks, they still see melanoma. I misunderstood about melanoma, I figured you’d have some large, ugly, gaping sore/wound on your body and it would be glaringly apparent but it’s not, it’s a very quiet killer and can spread fast. Study after study says that if you have endo, you have an increased risk for melanoma amoungst other cancers. Get checked, if you tan in a tanning bad STOP – the tanning beds are killers and it’s shocking that they are even legal – all they are simply put are cancer incubators. I have sworn off the sun, I’d rather be casper the ghost going forward than ever put myself at any further risk, sunscreen with zinc, hello new best friend, shade as well – I’m so shaken up by all of this – it can come and bite anyone at any time and that’s the really scary part. When you do your monthly breast exam, do a full body check, anything that looks suspicious, see a dermo at once in addition to taking the time to have an annual full body check.
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Post by Karen on May 11, 2012 16:27:57 GMT -5
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Post by loveshoes on May 11, 2012 20:19:06 GMT -5
It's funny you posted this Karen - my mom sent me a link to an article about how skin screens have chemicals in them that cause all sorts of issues as well. She said I shouldn't even use a sunscreen so I have to research that now and figure out what I want to do.
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Post by KSA on May 12, 2012 15:26:28 GMT -5
I have a hat on and use sunscreen when out but gosh now I have to read the above article to see what is in the sunscreen. I use the tan towels to Jenaya....Buy one box get one half off is going on now at Rite Aid I had to stock up for the summer. It really does me no good trying to get real sun...it makes me sick!
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