Reply #114: I have had several skin cancers removed

[MikeH]

The first time was a squamous cell carcinoma on my arm and a basal cell carcinoma on my leg, back in 1997, when I was 46.

I have since had several other basal cell carcinomas removed, one I think on my left shoulder, and a couple on the back of my neck.

Just this last month I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my upper left arm, close to my shoulder. I first noticed it probably about a year ago, and saw my general practice doctor about it last fall. He did a biopsy, and it was determined it was a basal cell carcinoma. I had it removed by a dermatologist last month, whom I also needed to see about a big cyst on my back. My general practitioner recommended seeing a dermatologist.

The skin cancer was removed by a scraping or slicing process, as were the cancers on the back of my neck by my general practitioner. My dermatologist slightly preferred doing an incision over slicing, but I chose the slicing process. He will need to check it in 3 months to be sure the skin cancer is gone.

I also had several lesions on my face that I have had for a long time, possibly precancerous, frozen off with liquid nitrogen.

Given that I have now had several skin cancers removed, I need to be on the lookout for more of them.

I have had several bad sunburns, especially in the 1970's after I moved from Illinois to San Diego, California. I had been at the beach without putting on any protective lotion. Back in the 1970's it had not been as well known as it is now the connection between sunburn and skin cancer, particularly melanoma.

I also got a very bad sunburn a few years ago in Hawaii when I went on an off-shore excursion (I was in a cruise ship) on one of the islands and had not put sunscreen on. I think I was under some pressure to get to the meeting place on time. I noticed that the sun's rays in Hawaii are especially strong.

I put on sunscreen when I go on hikes or when I know I am going to be spending substantial time in the sun; I do not do so otherwise. In particular I do not put on sunscreen when I am just going to be walking about. When I do put on sunscreen, I always prefer gel to cream; cream is very messy. I particularly like to use Bullfrog.

I have some Irish ancestry on my dad's side; my dad's mother was 100% Irish, and I think my dad's father had a little bit of Irish, so I am at least 25% Irish. My dad's mother had ancestors who came to America during the potato famine in Ireland. Being part Irish I have a ruddy complexion, reddish brown hair, and quite a few freckles and moles, as did my dad and I think my grandmother also. My dad had at least one skin cancer removed from his face that I remember.