Skin cancer ...

[mpprh]

Just a reminder of the dangers of skin cancer ...

Early diagnosis and treatment is key

The main cause is too much exposure to the sun

Pale sensitive skin is more likely to develop skin cancer

It can take many years to develop

Once diagnosed it is likely to recur

Increased leisure time and more travel to sunny locations have caused an increased incidence of skin cancer

About 80% appear on the face and head.


The three main types are :

basal cell cancer :


squamous cell cancer :


melanoma :



Precautions :

*Cover up and use skin block May to October
*Previous skin cancer indicates high risk - frequent check ups needed
*Over 50 or with sensitive skin should have regular check ups
*Changes in moles and spots that don't heal should be examined

[sue and paul]

I must echo what Peter has said. I have had malignant melanoma, had it safely excised and no secondary cancers. It CAN be a very different story, and I thank early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Since moving here, I have had a regular annual check with a dermatologist in Perps. So far so good. You can never be too cautious, and don't feel silly asking your doc about a dodgy mole. Mine was not large, but had become very black. I now always use factor 50, and have even had hols in hotter sunnier places than the PO...but the cream goes on, I cover up if necessary, and stay in the shade if I can

[Arthur and Lyn]

Yes
A timely reminder Peter.
Thanks for that.

Arthur

[mpprh]

If you are interested in this, there are some alternative views here ...


Peter

[edann42]

Just as important with ex-pats in hot climes, is the availability of very cheap cigarettes and booze!!

My 42 year old daughter (some of you may remember she lost her husband in a motorbike accident in Tenerife last year), was, last week, diagnosed as having Lung Cancer (heavy smoker), with secondaries on the Brain, Liver and Lymph Glands!!! She started radio therapy today before going on to chemotherapy in a couple of weeks!!!!!!!

Heavy smoking, heavy drinking and too much sun, will lead to these terrible problems.

Try not to go to La Jonquera too often for those 'cheap fags and booze' and indeed, use high factor creams when sunbathing and hopefully the problems highlighted above, can be avoided.

[mpprh]

Heavy smoking, heavy drinking and too much sun, will lead to these terrible problems.

Sorry to hear that.

I've recently given up the smoking and the sun but am still worried.

Peter

[Roger O]

Strangely enough, although I have always had moles - even as a young child,
they have never given me a problem.
Three years ago I had most of them removed by a dermatologist in Toulouges.
More of a cosmetic thing than any necessity.
As to the skin, apart from a nasty sunburn once, a long time ago in Lagos
(Nigeria not Portugal) I have never had a problem. Two weeks without any
protection in any sub tropical or tropical climate (e.g. Florida or Mautitius)
and I'm as brown as a nut without any "red" stage at all.
Sometimes I wonder about my ancestry in that respect!!!!

As to the smoking... better left unsaid..... I have tried to give up... honestly..
Alcohol is no problem.. can take it or leave it - mostly the latter.

[sue and paul]

Roger, I have sent you a pm - not about this thread. something else!

[Serge]

Sorry to hear that Edann, you must be devastated - I hope everything works out OK for your daughter ....................

[Roger O]

Roger, I have sent you a pm - not about this thread. something else!

Sue, I've replied by PM and direct email!
Roger in a rush..

[Smiley G]

Sue and Paul

I have sent you a PM about dermatologists
Thanks

[sue and paul]

Have replied. Sue