Dont take the sun for granted

[Colwyn]

What's the diagnosis Micky? Is it basal cell cancer?

[Toky]

Much respect for sharing MM. Can imagine how you felt when you were told. I am a fan of the rays but have a big awareness of the consequences too, hence I use a high factor sun screen. All the best to you.

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[Dennis Vint]

I have had two episodes of squamous cell skin cancer, one on my forehead which needed a skin graft and which has left a large mark and another where the surgeon managed to "stretch and stitch" on the top of my head.  I was told that the cancer had been caused by the sun, probably many years ago when sun protection wasn't at the top of my awareness list. Now I always wear a "Tilley hat", a T-shirt and factor 30 especially when I'm abroad.  Please don't underestimate the power of the sun's rays - they can be deadly.  I hope and pray that you will recover, mickeymouse and I'm sure that you will be on your guard in the future.  Best wishes.

[BernieTeyze]

All the best from us, thanks for the advice, we too don,t always apply sun screen, and slik refuses to put more on after one application, despite burning. I do hope your treatment goes well and you make a full and speedy recovery.

[Jacqui Harvey]

All my tan comes from a bottle and always will.

One year Hilary decided to treat herself to an all-over spray tan before she went to Turkey. Of course with swimming in the sea, and pool, and lots of showers, it began to fade. In fact it faded faster than she was naturally tanning. All the waiters at the hotel were amazed. She was the first person they had ever seen who left Turkey lighter-skinned than the day she arrived.

I only tried a spray tan once, it lasted a couple of days.  I do my own and take a bottle with me on holiday to top up.
I think we all know now, mainly due to our Aussie friends that any suntan is bad for the skin no matter how much sun cream we apply, any suntan is sunburn.  If our skin goes browner it means it's burnt and in the long run damaged.  Also, the sun causes wrinkles and premature ageing.   So, I am quite glad I don't have the sort of skin that takes a tan.  I will stick to my bottles of fake tan.

[atinabay]

Yes, I'm also guilty of the  " its okay. I don't burn ", but now you've got me thinking. Wake up call indeed.. Speedy recovery MM.

[Colwyn]

I can add some comfort to expats on this. When I had my first op I was intending to live in Turkey for 6 months of the year (Spring and Autumn) so I asked if she would advise against it. To my surprise she said the worst thing for damaging our skin was the syndrome of "only two weeks holiday so I have to lie out in the sun as much as I can". Living in Turkey for longer, she suggested, would mean this sun-worshipper compulsion would not be present, your skin would have time to get used to conditions and in all probability you would (like the Turks) seek shade as much as possible in the summer months.

[marina]

Best wishes for a full recovery MM.  Excellent advice too.

I now never use lower than Factor 15 and always, in Turkey especially, start with Factor 25. We both wear hats in hot sunlight, I don't like the feeling of  burning anyway.

Hasn't always been the case though.  Probably many of my generation can remember sunbathing using oll and vinegar together to try and get a tan!  Quite literally frying!   

Dreadful to think of now we know the consequences.

[DANKY]

Sorry to hear this mate but  thank you for sharing with us all as  i am another guilty person who thinks it will not happen to me, how stupid of me
 a rethink this year is defiantly on the cards    ..

[micky mouse]

Hi all,its called lentigo maligna which is the first stages of skin cancer it can lay dormant for years caught early in none ivasive and has only penetrated the top layer of skin,any changes in color of a mole etc get checked.Only nine stiches at present,tiny scar,but next month it could be a bigger scar but all in all pleased i got checked and its not likely to re-appear as long as one stays out of the direct sun light and plenty of 30 factor on the face from now on.