Protect Yourself & Win For Skin Cancer Awareness Month!

    by   SusanHN   

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May 02, 2018
211

My mom was crazy about sunscreen before skin protection was in fashion. As a child, she would bathe us in lotion every time we left the house. Other teens my age would be greasing up and tanning at the Jersey Shore. I was stuck wearing hats and sitting in the shade. And yet, last fall, I was diagnosed with skin cancer. 

How are you protecting your skin? Tell us and you'll be eligible to win two bottles of my favorite year-round skin care: CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion.  (One for you and one to give to a friend whose skin you also care about!) It's SPF 30 and it keeps my skin soft without being greasy or smelly.

Since I grew up with a mom who was ahead of her time, I never thought I'd get skin cancer. And then I noticed a small bump on the side of my nose. It didn't look exactly like a pimple since the center of it was slightly indented, but I wasn't sure. When the bump didn't go away, I decided to make an appointment with a dermatologist. I hadn't had a full-body check-up in many years, so I figured it was time.

I expected the doctor to laugh and tell me in a slightly embarrasing way that I had adult acne. Instead, she took one look at my face and said, "Yep, that's cancer." 

As she took a biopsy to confirm her diagnosis, she explained that I had basal cell carcinoma (BCC). "Of all the cancers to get, this is the best one." (Um. Yay?) It rarely spreads to the organs and if treated in a timely manner, it is not considered life-threatening. However, BCC tumors do grow, so the longer you wait to remove it, the more disfiguring it could be.

I wanted that sucker out fast. The doctor recommended a common procedure to remove BCC called Mohs Surgery. It's outpatient surgery with just local anesthesia, designed to remove the cancer but not much else, so it leaves the smallest scar possible. 

I was so nervous about the procedure but it really wasn't too bad. Just uncomfortable at times, and a lot of waiting.

Six months later, I can still see the small scar, but most people would never notice it. I'd like to say I learned a lot of new things from this experience. But the truth is, I already knew them all, I just didn't pay attention. And now I do.

  • Anyone of any age and any ethnicity can get skin cancer. Turns out, 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer by the age of 70. More people get diagnosed with skin cancer in the U.S. than all other cancers combined, according to SkinCancer.org.
  • Wear sunscreen! This one is obvious, but so very important. Everyone knows they should apply sunscreen year-round (not just on sunny days!) and reapply every two hours. My doctor also taught me to pay attention to where I am putting it on. My BCC was on that crease between my nose and the rest of my face. She said that this is an extremely common place for tumors because we sometimes miss hitting it with the lotion. Also, it's one of the first places we sweat, so the lotion gets rubbed off easily.
  • Get checked by a dermatologist every year. Just like with any cancer, the earlier it is found, the easier it is to treat. If I had let that BCC go longer, the scar could have been much worse. Don't let fear stop you from making an appointment. It's better to find out early.
  • Tanning beds are the worst. The stats are clear on this one. Visiting a tanning salon - even just once - can seriously increase your risks of skin cancer and melanoma.
  • Wear a hat and sunglasses. I never thought about my eyes, but they are at risk to damage from the sun too.
  • I should listen to my mom more often. Just please don't tell her I said that!

For more info on skin cancer prevention, check out SkinCancer.org.

How do you take care of your skin? Tell us for the chance to win two bottles of my favorite year-round skin protection, CeraVe Facial Moisturing Lotion with SPF 30.  Give one to a friend whose skin you also want to protect!

There are two ways to enter.

  1. Comment below and tell us how you protect your skin.
  2. Tweet about the giveaway: Click HERE to Tweet: “I'm wearing sunscreen & entering the #SheSpeaksHealth giveaway for Skin Cancer Awareness Month, thx to @SheSpeaksUp bit.ly/2w2sUJb"

*One lucky commenter or Tweeter will be chosen at random to receive two bottles of CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion, valued at approximately $26 total. Giveaway is open through May 20, 2018 to U.S. residents at least 18 years of age. Entrants must be a member of SheSpeaks. If you are not a member, click here to join. Winner will be notified by email.

 

Update: Thanks to all who entered! Congrats to our winner, SheSpeaks member MomOnTheEdge.

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Comments
by danaemomof4 | RINCON, GA
Jun 22, 2018

I am an avid sunscreen user and lather my kids up religiously!

by kd196310308 | SAN ANTONIO, TX
May 30, 2018

I always use sunscreen with a high SPF carry an umbrella and sunglasses. I have Lupus and Sjogren's syndrome so the sun is not my friend.

by onemused | Ewing, NJ
May 24, 2018

I always put on sunscreen!

by JoyfulJude | CORP CHRISTI, TX
May 24, 2018

Lots of sunscreen, a giant hat, sunglasses, and a parasol. I'm essentially a vampire.

by jwantink | Murrieta, CA
May 22, 2018

Use sunscreen, and go to the dermatologist yearly. Plus staying hydrated and moisturized!

by kraianne | stockton, CA
May 22, 2018

I buy products that double duty as a sunscreen, such as face creams (or makeup) with an SPF. Also, I sit in the shade whenever possible. I get enough rays walking without sitting in the sun.

by ooster1 | ALOHA, OR
May 20, 2018

GREAT IDEA i USE Jergens SPF 45

by rubydreamer | ALBURTIS, PA
May 19, 2018

My job involves working outside every day. Even when the weather is unbearable hot, I wear long sleeves and a hat. A few years ago, I got badly sunburned on the top of my head, forgetting that also needs to be covered, so now it's a must.

by valfeathers | SHINNSTON, WV
May 18, 2018

When I go out, I always use a 50 SPF face sunscreen and 50 DOG body sunscreen spray. But, mostly I try to avoid to much sun exposer. When I was younger I suffered 3rd degree sunburn all over me it was very bad. Now I'm always cautious, I never want to go through that again. Thank you for the opportunity!

by starzine | SN BERNRDNO, CA
May 18, 2018

I use sunscreen daily.

by tiramisu888 | harrison, NY
May 18, 2018

I use sunblock everyday! I apply every 2 hours and also wear sunglasses and hats when I go out.

by LuvtoDream | FOLSOM, CA
May 18, 2018

I am sunscreen fanatic! I wear my sunscreen every day. I also wear hats and protective clothing and in general I do try to stay in the shade and not directly in the sun.

by MomOnTheEdge | Marblehead, OH
May 18, 2018

I protect my skin with sunscreen and protective clothing/hats.

by grammasue50 | KALISPELL, MT
May 18, 2018

I wear sunscreen every time I go outside. I am fair skinned and strawberry blond. I did a lot of damage to my skin in the 1970's when sunscreen wasn't so developed and everyone used baby oil in the sun. (Shudder). Now I am super vigilant about protection.

by tarra888 | Caldwell, ID
May 18, 2018

I have moisturizer with sunscreen in it that is my first step every morning with getting ready. My husband is also issuing it now.

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