Hi Peeps,

Yep, went and had a skin check again during the old 40 year checkup. The doc got excited enough to go and grab his little bottle of Liquid Nitrogen and he attacked me liberally. Yep, 4 on the back of the left hand, two on the right, one on the right wrist, one on the left shoulder blade area and five on my face (nose, two on the forehead and two by the right eye) also had a bunch of cells frozen off my right ear.

All were pre-cancerous or BCC's. I'm in the extreme category too and really need to get a check up every 6 months which I will from now on.

Doc mentioned he had a patient come in with a lump on his leg, yep, melanoma! Dead in two years and was the father of a young family. That was enough of a wake up for me.

I would have added this to the Skin Cancer thread, but it can't be added to for age reasons.

Perhaps Laurie can add it on the end of the older thread. PLay hard in the sun people, but be careful!

Cheers,

DM

tan zinc is the best. face top of ears and back of hands

thanks little one but I prefer white too many brown smudges on my kites

Yes the hands!! remember the hands. Ive never put cream on my hands except for the last few years and theyre already looking sun damaged from all the years without.

I'm in the same boat as you, Darren. The liquid nitrogen's OK but wait 'till the good doctor puts the evil cream (DNA disruptor) on your bottom lip! Your lip turns into one almighty scabby blister. Better than skin cancer though.

Good post Darren. Can never be posted too often.

Haven't had a molescan in a few years. Must book asap.

Cheers.


EDIT:
BTW - what's with the DNA disruptor? Preventative or used after a nasty find?

Agree totally on ears hands (facing up at 100% sun all the time) and lips with liberal (not mad kind) application of zinc.
White for me, tried the tan and felt like I was wearing foundation or sumpin.
Anybody want a large Faulding tan zinc?

pink zinc is best it reflects more UV.

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sir ROWDY said...

pink zinc is best it reflects more UV.

does it really? (seriously rowdy?)

why pink?

I thought white was the best for reflection but am keen to hear if Im wrong.

This is quite the pertinent topic & one I've been thinking about recently.

The only thing is; can anyone tell me where is the best place to go to get checked out?

Are there specialist places to go rather than your GP?

I'm hesitant to rely on a GP to be fully conversed in the ways of mole spotting, especially since our local doctor's surgery has a lot of inexperienced doctors working there (academically qualified only, no real world experience).

Hi Oceanfire,

The local doc will be able to treat the usual stuff and they are trained in what to look for. You can go see the local doc and get in pretty quick. There are also skin cancer clinics which are free if I'm not wrong and am not sure if there is a wait, probably is.

Places like Molescan are good but you'll pay! They also only use GP's.

Obviously the best care is a Dermatologist but you'll need a referal from a GP and then hop on the end of the queue (which invariably is waaaaaay long.

I'd start with the local GP unless you have something of concern and need a specialists opinion. It is quick, usually bulk billed, and will give you some piece of mind.

It is wise to have a good look at yourself under decent light in a big mirror and take note of the shape and colour of any moles, or other skin abnormalities and keep a check on these regularly. Anything changing colour, growing, bleeding or not looking "right" should be checked immediately by your doc.

I reckon, "If in doubt, cut it out". Not too many second chances with Melanoma.

Glad to see it has stirred a few people into action again.

KH

Cheers for the advice Kitehard.

I spose I should give the GP a go first, as you say if need be they can refer onto specialists.

hey dm
why did you wait so long to go to the doc?

in fact why are any of you waiting?

i had a huge chunk of my leg removed to melonoma - had i waited a few more months i would most likely not be writing this now.

so you might think having darker shades of skin is safe.
only happens to pale white people
not so
happens to anyone , anyone ....

do yourself and family a favour
and see the doctor

DNA disruptor - something like efudix - it contains flourocil which targets rapidly multipling cells - getting things cut and burnt out is a good fix but you never know that you have it all. Check out the pic on my profile - I had a small keratosis - the size of a pin head - applied this stuff to my whole face - amazing how much unseen damage was there - especially on the right hand side (drivers side) - scary stuff

Crikey! That is a lot of damage on that pic LK!

So it basically attacks the cells that are already damaged and takes em out?

Wow. Bet a lot of us would be shocked at the results.

Ta for the info.

BTW - do you request the DNA action from your GP or is it prescribed by them?

Yep you need a prescription for the stuff and its a 4 week process - the most painful for me was the top lip - reflected light off the water from years of surfing...

serious eye opener!!

oh and don't forget the eyes....glasses are annoying but after a session without and too many years working in the sun your eyes grow little while bulgy things which is evil.

If your eyes are bloodshot they're telling you something

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little o said...



If your eyes are bloodshot they're telling you something

You need to smoke less weed?

DM

PS. Sorry, couldn't resist a sitter like that one

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little o said...

oh and don't forget the eyes....glasses are annoying but after a session without and too many years working in the sun your eyes grow little while bulgy things which is evil.

If your eyes are bloodshot they're telling you something

After years as a surfer, squinting into the morning sun I developed pterygiums on my eyes (line of tissue that migrates from the inner corner of your eye to obstruct your vision), remedied by surgical removal. These days I always kite with sunglasses on to avoid future damage.

Some of you may remember a kiter who died a few years ago after a short battle with cancer. He had a primary melanoma in his eye which was undetectable and quickly spread.

Yeh - since my 1st season i have only kited a handful of times without goggles on the rare occasion i have left em at home it has not been fun reliving the sting after a couple of hours on the water. Essentail IMO.

Don't under rate a helmet (or hat) either. Great cover and keeps my hair outta my line of sight too - plus holds tha hair down at back to cover more kneck. Also protects the few healthy grey cells that are looking in trouble these days.

Of course by the time you have gone for the rashie, zinc, helmet/hat, sunnies etc ect you will be accused by some of over-accessorising. I'm still not sutre they understand - even with the boardies over their wetty.. we know they are only packin peanuts.

hamilton's quadblock