Confused.... - Cancer: Skin Message Board

bigstu1746 · 06-08-2006, 05:09 AM

There seems to be varying opinion on the subject of prevention of skin cancer. There is the camp that seems to advise staying out of the sun completely. Then there is the camp that says a little exposure is good to produce vit D and prevent other cancers).

If you want a 'healthy' tan everyone seems to recommend self tan lotions. Has anyone looked at the list of chemical ingredients in these? Are they really safe? I'm even concerned about the chemicals in sun blocks too. What do you all think about the safety of the lotions and self tanners themselves?

I do not propose to be expert in anything medical but I believe strongly that most people have an inherent capability to know instinctively what is good for them.

What my gut tells me is to use that age old term 'moderation'. Get a little sun but not too much. I'd even go as far to say get a bit of a tan. No, not baked, just a bit of colour. I know we are told that it's not just sunburn that damages skin but also a tan.

However, my 'innate animal wisdom' just seems to keep telling me that a light tan is my body's own protection against what, in my opinion, is a lot worse-sunburn.

I'm sure there are many of you who know a hell of a lot more on this than me-please let me know your thoughts.

~Kaelie · 06-08-2006, 06:05 AM

hi

In my opinion, and you're right, everyone has their own opinion, the only safe tan is one that is sprayed on. But that also depends on your genetic make-up and predisposition to skin cancers.

I myself have been down the malignant melanoma road. I have a pre-disposition to burn, so now I either cover up completely or avoid the sun at all cost. I get the sun on my face from sunrise to about 7:30 or 8:00 AM. That is enough to avoid the blues that come from not seeing that bright yellow ball at all, and my vitamin-D comes from a bottle.

The way I see it, that inherent "animal instinct" to protect yourself from the sun would have obliterated the entire disease eons ago. Man is somewhat addicted to the sun. Maybe our bodies crave more vit-d than they need, or maybe we don't give it what it wants... either way, families that have the genetic markers for skin cancer (fair complexion, burn easily blah blah blah) should have bred them out like a 6th finger. Haha... makes you wonder if Hitler had been successful in his genetic warfare and made the "perfect blonde hair blue eye fair skin'd" race, melanoma and other skin cancer rates would have soared!

Lordy I probably stepped on some toesies there... my appologies to any I may have offended.

~Kaelie
in addition to melanoma and peripheral neuropathy, is now suffering foot&mouth disease

bigstu1746 · 06-08-2006, 07:47 AM

Good point about 'animal instinct' to stay out of the sun. I love the sun-but from a distance. My natural tendency is always to be in the shade.

tbrooks · 06-09-2006, 03:29 PM

You don't seem to confused. I believe that someone, such as myself, that has been diagnosed with melanoma should obviously prevent sunburns. But to stay out of the sun completely is absurd.
I am in the sun now as much as I was before the diagnoses. I am now just smart about it. Before I didn't use a drop of sunscreen. Now I lather it on. I have two small boys who are more educated in sun damage than most adults are. I wish me as a youngster, or my mom and dad had the knowledge they do. I probably wouldn't be in the boat I am now. You have to live your life.

I have cancer, cancer doesn't have me.

Jenner06 · 06-10-2006, 03:51 AM

All I can tell you is that tanning beds (if not cause it) do indeed increase your risk of developing malignant melanoma by 50%....at least that's what they say here in Texas. Although I am somewhat fair complected,I have never burned and have always had the ability to tan very dark. Anyhow, I have used tanning beds for about 2 months a year (right before summer), for at least the last six years. Seeing as how there is no histoy of skin cancer in my family, I do believe that the tanning bed played a direct part in my developing melanoma.

I am in the sun just as much as I was before, but as others have said, you just have to be smart about it.