Thanks for this post! It’s so important to talk about. Melanoma runs in my family. Sunscreen and hats are so important. I think SPF clothing is also incredibly important. I wear suits that have built in rash guards to keep the sun off my back, chest and arms. There are some very cute ones. The less of your skin in the sun at all, the better. For cute SPF styles I recommend Cabana Life.
You will definitely rock it! I’m sure yours is so cute! It takes some getting used to but now I feel weird with too much skin exposed to the sun. Plus I love not having to cover as much with sunscreen!
During Covid I start walking everyday so I start wearing hats for that. But now, I have also start wearing rash guards. I’m Irish so very fair skinned and I live in FL and have a pool. When sunshine is a constant I’m not sure SPF is enough so I have some rash guards that I use to keep covered up when I’m outside so often. Some of it is vanity and not wanting to look aged by too much sun but skin cancer is a real worry too.
I only wear long sleeves too. I’ve found that Athleta makes really comfy UPF shirts that I LOVE and feel lighter than some rash guards. Even if some of it is vanity, it’s also just smart!
Another Aussie here who’s had a BCC removed from her nose. I thought I was being careful, but the damage must have been done in my youth. My personal trainer noticed a tiny spot and told me to get it checked. Ever so grateful I did.
Along with your hat recommendations can I add my own? A hat clip! So, so useful! A brilliant Aussie invention that’s available for sale in the US too.
Thanks for sharing your story! This is so important. I had melanoma a year ago and have a scar on my chest and back to show for it. I’ve learned that some people unfairly consider dermatologists “fancy” and not for everyone, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! I spotted a couple areas and asked my PCP about it and she wasn’t sure and sent me on to a dermatologist. Similar to you, there was a wait to get in with her originally, but follow up visits don’t have the long wait times at all.
Thank you for this point, Sarah — for a long time, I saw dermatologists as a "nice" to have, not a "need" to have. It felt, as you say, "fancy." But it's not! It's so necessary!
Thank you for sharing your story. I spotted a weird spot on my neck and got it checked out. Turns out it was invasive melanoma and I was only 32. It developed in less than 6 months after my last derm exam! When in doubt, check it out!
It is SUCH a big thing here in Australia - I am militant about it for myself, but my kids! It's a whole other story! Argh. I *make* them do it but also hoping that seeing me joyfully (because I do love my sunscreen!) do it everyday, multiple times a day, helps them build the habit too. Modelling, etc!
Thank you for sharing your journey. I’ve had 4 Mohs procedures for squamous areas. This winter I have to have a plastic surgeon remove a place on my chest. Even an old pro like me was nervous and did not expect a three inch incision.
I’ve set the record at my dermatologist’s office with 11 biopsies in one visit. She trusts me when I say something doesn’t look right and I trust her. We’ve been able to catch everything early but the word squamous still scares me. I lost my uncle to it because he wouldn’t get a spot looked at and even though it is slow growing, it gave the cancer enough time to spread to his throat and lymph nodes.
Every time I have a procedure I post about to spread awareness. I truly regret my cavalier approach to tanning and am paying for it now. I’m so very grateful for a great doctor and excellent insurance.
Pro-tip for your younger followers- always put sunscreen on the top of your hands- a spot that gets ignored a lot.
Thank you for sharing this, I am in my late thirties and only started wearing sunscreen and this made me rethink my lack of effort. One thing I want to mention though - it is “physician assistant,” instead of “physician’s assistant.” It’s a common mistake and therefore a pet peeve of mine, and I only mean to be helpful and I hope it does not come off as rude!
Melanoma runs in my family and one of my brothers had a basal cell removed on his leg in his early 30s, so I have an annual skin check done - it gives me a huge piece of mind, as someone who lives alone and spent decades hating sunscreen. Thanks for talking about this, three cheers for cute SPF clothing and great sunscreens, and congratulations on facing your fears and taking care of yourself <3 <3 <3
Thank you for sharing and Such a timely reminder. I had a very similar experience and almost in the same spot! Thankfully it was minor and hair mostly covers the small scar but I am even more vigilant about sunscreen and hats! I live in the northeast and as a fair skinned person I am very aware of needing to wear sunscreen but since I had kids I realized I spend a lot more time in the sun where I probably wasn’t thinking about it (at the playground, on walks etc.) and have now made sunscreen a daily habit as well as for my kids. I love Babo botanicals for kids and me (great for sensitive skin) and they have an excellent tinted face sunscreen that I can wear daily and really looks great while providing serious protection. I love Wallaroo hats as well for serious sun protection and lots of different styles.
Thank you for sharing this! My brother was misdiagnosed multiple times for his melanoma, it is much too common. Luckily after a few surgeries he survived. Glad you are spreading the word about skin/sun care!
Thank you so much for sharing! I know wearing sunscreen daily is a good thing but I am not consistent with it so this is an excellent nudge to be better about it! I just discovered the Trader Joe’s daily facial sunscreen - clear and no scent leave me with no excuses! Glad you caught yours early 🩵
Thank you so much for sharing your diagnosis! I wanted to add to the hat conversation- Hemlock Hat Co.‘s St. Tropez Visor has been my favorite purchase of the summer so far
Thank you for sharing Elizabeth. So important! I had my first basal cell identified by my PCP as I was leaving the office, saying goodbye and he grabbed me and said what’s that? It was removed by a plastic surgeon (on my neck) with clear margins (my doc had gotten it all with the biopsy!).
My second developed from a mole on my shin that I continually shaved over. We monitored it for years until it started to change. The biopsy also removed the entire thing. But I learned that biopsies don’t check the margins, so I had to go to a surgeon for more of my leg to be cut out (grr) and there were no cancer cells remaining.
I’m so glad you trusted your gut and had the spot removed! Thank you for sharing your story too. I had a similar experience in 2017 with a mole on my thigh. I now get a skin cancer check every 6 months and I have become a connoisseur of sunscreen brands! The details you shared about your mother’s battle with ovarian cancer that then made it difficult for you to get check-ups/screenings really resonated with me. I’m so sorry you had to go though that! My aunt’s mother passed away from ovarian cancer when my aunt was 18. After that, she avoided getting screenings/mammograms because of the fear of “what if”? She is now unfortunately dealing with breast cancer that has metastasized. She’s responding well to chemo and we are hopeful! All that to say, my PSA is that it is so important to keep up with regular screenings to catch anything in the early stages. The scary “what if” is such a normal feeling. But just know that you’ll have such a peace of mind once you start keeping regular screening/check-ups! You’re more likely to catch cancer in an early, more treatable stage. Sending hugs to you!
Thanks for this post! It’s so important to talk about. Melanoma runs in my family. Sunscreen and hats are so important. I think SPF clothing is also incredibly important. I wear suits that have built in rash guards to keep the sun off my back, chest and arms. There are some very cute ones. The less of your skin in the sun at all, the better. For cute SPF styles I recommend Cabana Life.
Yes — I just got a rash guard! Excited to try it out!
You will definitely rock it! I’m sure yours is so cute! It takes some getting used to but now I feel weird with too much skin exposed to the sun. Plus I love not having to cover as much with sunscreen!
During Covid I start walking everyday so I start wearing hats for that. But now, I have also start wearing rash guards. I’m Irish so very fair skinned and I live in FL and have a pool. When sunshine is a constant I’m not sure SPF is enough so I have some rash guards that I use to keep covered up when I’m outside so often. Some of it is vanity and not wanting to look aged by too much sun but skin cancer is a real worry too.
I only wear long sleeves too. I’ve found that Athleta makes really comfy UPF shirts that I LOVE and feel lighter than some rash guards. Even if some of it is vanity, it’s also just smart!
Another Aussie here who’s had a BCC removed from her nose. I thought I was being careful, but the damage must have been done in my youth. My personal trainer noticed a tiny spot and told me to get it checked. Ever so grateful I did.
Along with your hat recommendations can I add my own? A hat clip! So, so useful! A brilliant Aussie invention that’s available for sale in the US too.
https://klipsta.com/products/hat-clip
A hat clip! Brilliant! Thank you
This is amazing! Thanks for sharing!!!
Just bought three!
Thanks for sharing your story! This is so important. I had melanoma a year ago and have a scar on my chest and back to show for it. I’ve learned that some people unfairly consider dermatologists “fancy” and not for everyone, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! I spotted a couple areas and asked my PCP about it and she wasn’t sure and sent me on to a dermatologist. Similar to you, there was a wait to get in with her originally, but follow up visits don’t have the long wait times at all.
Thank you for this point, Sarah — for a long time, I saw dermatologists as a "nice" to have, not a "need" to have. It felt, as you say, "fancy." But it's not! It's so necessary!
Thank you for sharing your story. I spotted a weird spot on my neck and got it checked out. Turns out it was invasive melanoma and I was only 32. It developed in less than 6 months after my last derm exam! When in doubt, check it out!
COLBY. Oh my gosh - how scary! So glad you got it checked out.
It is SUCH a big thing here in Australia - I am militant about it for myself, but my kids! It's a whole other story! Argh. I *make* them do it but also hoping that seeing me joyfully (because I do love my sunscreen!) do it everyday, multiple times a day, helps them build the habit too. Modelling, etc!
Gah - the kids thing is SO real. The first derm I saw said most skin damage happens before age 18.
Thank you for sharing your journey. I’ve had 4 Mohs procedures for squamous areas. This winter I have to have a plastic surgeon remove a place on my chest. Even an old pro like me was nervous and did not expect a three inch incision.
I’ve set the record at my dermatologist’s office with 11 biopsies in one visit. She trusts me when I say something doesn’t look right and I trust her. We’ve been able to catch everything early but the word squamous still scares me. I lost my uncle to it because he wouldn’t get a spot looked at and even though it is slow growing, it gave the cancer enough time to spread to his throat and lymph nodes.
Every time I have a procedure I post about to spread awareness. I truly regret my cavalier approach to tanning and am paying for it now. I’m so very grateful for a great doctor and excellent insurance.
Pro-tip for your younger followers- always put sunscreen on the top of your hands- a spot that gets ignored a lot.
SuperGoop makes a hand lotion with SPF in it! Helps me remember to put SPF on my hands. Glad you are well after your surgeries!
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing this, I am in my late thirties and only started wearing sunscreen and this made me rethink my lack of effort. One thing I want to mention though - it is “physician assistant,” instead of “physician’s assistant.” It’s a common mistake and therefore a pet peeve of mine, and I only mean to be helpful and I hope it does not come off as rude!
Thank you, Danielle - updated the post!
❤️ Right there with you my friend.
Melanoma runs in my family and one of my brothers had a basal cell removed on his leg in his early 30s, so I have an annual skin check done - it gives me a huge piece of mind, as someone who lives alone and spent decades hating sunscreen. Thanks for talking about this, three cheers for cute SPF clothing and great sunscreens, and congratulations on facing your fears and taking care of yourself <3 <3 <3
Thank you for sharing and Such a timely reminder. I had a very similar experience and almost in the same spot! Thankfully it was minor and hair mostly covers the small scar but I am even more vigilant about sunscreen and hats! I live in the northeast and as a fair skinned person I am very aware of needing to wear sunscreen but since I had kids I realized I spend a lot more time in the sun where I probably wasn’t thinking about it (at the playground, on walks etc.) and have now made sunscreen a daily habit as well as for my kids. I love Babo botanicals for kids and me (great for sensitive skin) and they have an excellent tinted face sunscreen that I can wear daily and really looks great while providing serious protection. I love Wallaroo hats as well for serious sun protection and lots of different styles.
Thank you for sharing your story, Elizabeth. I’m so happy to hear it was removed and you are on the mend ❤️
Thank you for sharing this! My brother was misdiagnosed multiple times for his melanoma, it is much too common. Luckily after a few surgeries he survived. Glad you are spreading the word about skin/sun care!
Thank you so much for sharing! I know wearing sunscreen daily is a good thing but I am not consistent with it so this is an excellent nudge to be better about it! I just discovered the Trader Joe’s daily facial sunscreen - clear and no scent leave me with no excuses! Glad you caught yours early 🩵
Thank you so much for sharing your diagnosis! I wanted to add to the hat conversation- Hemlock Hat Co.‘s St. Tropez Visor has been my favorite purchase of the summer so far
Thank you for sharing Elizabeth. So important! I had my first basal cell identified by my PCP as I was leaving the office, saying goodbye and he grabbed me and said what’s that? It was removed by a plastic surgeon (on my neck) with clear margins (my doc had gotten it all with the biopsy!).
My second developed from a mole on my shin that I continually shaved over. We monitored it for years until it started to change. The biopsy also removed the entire thing. But I learned that biopsies don’t check the margins, so I had to go to a surgeon for more of my leg to be cut out (grr) and there were no cancer cells remaining.
I see the derm yearly, at a minimum.
I’m so glad you trusted your gut and had the spot removed! Thank you for sharing your story too. I had a similar experience in 2017 with a mole on my thigh. I now get a skin cancer check every 6 months and I have become a connoisseur of sunscreen brands! The details you shared about your mother’s battle with ovarian cancer that then made it difficult for you to get check-ups/screenings really resonated with me. I’m so sorry you had to go though that! My aunt’s mother passed away from ovarian cancer when my aunt was 18. After that, she avoided getting screenings/mammograms because of the fear of “what if”? She is now unfortunately dealing with breast cancer that has metastasized. She’s responding well to chemo and we are hopeful! All that to say, my PSA is that it is so important to keep up with regular screenings to catch anything in the early stages. The scary “what if” is such a normal feeling. But just know that you’ll have such a peace of mind once you start keeping regular screening/check-ups! You’re more likely to catch cancer in an early, more treatable stage. Sending hugs to you!