#75541 06-12-2008 09:09 AM | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | I found a newer product that may be helpful to those of us who have gone thru radiation. Its called Eucerin Everyday Protection body lotion with SPF 15 sunscreen. It costs around $8 and is found easily in Walmart or Kmart. I use it everyday, it works great. I dont need to worry about being outside in my garden, I know Im protected from the sun.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 622 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: May 2007 Posts: 622 | My all time favorite is still the Neutrogena Products I've used the SPF 55 & 70, and I now see that there is an 85. http://www.neutrogena.com/ProductsDetails_329.asp?lProductLineID=15That in conjunction with Sun Protection clothing (recommended by my RO) and I'm all set. http://www.solumbra.com/Hope this help as well. Kevin 18 YEAR SURVIVOR SCC Tongue (T3N0M0) diag 06/2006. No evidence of disease 2010 Another PET 12-2014 pre-HBO, still N.E.D.
�Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. It matters that you don't just give up.� Stephen Hawking | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | I was never warned about my skin post TX re the sun and I didn't burn on the outside very much during Tx and I never was one to burn in the sun and that hasn't changed now. Whenever I'm out I just use the stuff I've always used which I believe is a 6 or 8. I bike at the first crack of daylight and am usually home by 10 or 11 am at the latest and I've never burned post Tx. Just another view.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 622 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: May 2007 Posts: 622 | You're lucky David.
I still have my "tan lines" from the radiation treatments, and I was not one that burned easily before. My mom who had "blast the whole area" x-ray treatments back in '41 and then again in '56 had problems her whole life. I guess I am now carrying that legacy.
Kevin 18 YEAR SURVIVOR SCC Tongue (T3N0M0) diag 06/2006. No evidence of disease 2010 Another PET 12-2014 pre-HBO, still N.E.D.
�Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. It matters that you don't just give up.� Stephen Hawking | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | The issue with sun exposure after radiation is really not whether or not you burn, the issue is that the sun is also additional radiation on an area that had already been radiated. Additional radiation exposure to a pre-radiated area simply increases your likelihood of an additional cancer-in this case a melanoma and it does that whether or not you have any sign of burning.
The safest way to protect yourself is to use a high SPF sunscreeen and /or protective clothing. Although some skin exposure to sun is good because it stimulates Vit. D production and Vit. D deficiencies have also been shown to be strongly related to cancer (though all the research I've read on that related it to other kinds of cancer, not oral). But you can put high spf suncreen on your face and neck, where you were radiated, and let your arms get more sun--which is what I usually do in the summer (though I also wear a lower spf on my arms and legs if I'm going to be out for a while).
Why put yourself at higher risk than you have to be for an additional (and deadly if not caught early) cancer?
Nelie
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
| | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 79 Senior Member (75+ posts) | Senior Member (75+ posts) Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 79 | My dermatologist feels that everyone should regularly wear sunscreen with an SPF a very high sunscreen. 15 would be ok with her only if there was nothing else available! She strongly recommended the Neutrogena product that protects against UVA and UVB rays.
In earlier years, I tanned regularly and very rarely got even close to a burn.
As you can see from my signature, I have not had cancer. But, I'm with Nelie ... why put yourself at higher risk for something that is simple to avoid?
* Root for Joe * Sister of Joe (43, non-smoker/chewer; occ. drinker). Mouth problem 3/07. Diag with Stage I 6/07. Diag with Stage IV 9/07. In EPOC at Univ of Chicago. Cisplatin/cetuximab 1/wk x 8. Then, IMRT 5x/wk x 7 and weekly chemo. Done 12/21/07. Looks good as of 4/08, 7/08, 8/08, 1/09.
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | No one ever explained that to me from the Moffitt team and while I usually like to disagree with Nelie what she posted makes perfect sense so I have nothing to loose by upping my protection level and that makes her logic a no brainer. Thanks for the advice.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 580 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 580 | This a great thread. We all can benefit from the suggestions here. As usual I'll add my two cents. Sunscreen is essential for anyone who spends any amount of time outdoors. Many people forget or ignore the warnings given by Dr's and the American Cancer Society. Wide brimmed hats, sunglasses and sunscreen should be a part of everyone's routine when going outdoors. Fair skinned individuals should consider better protection by using sunblock with titanium dioxide or even zincofax. These products stop the UVA/UVB rays from ever reaching the skin. Which gives far more protection than sunscreen. Cheers, Mike
Dentist since 1995, 12 year Cancer Survivor, Father, Husband, Thankful to so many who supported me on my journey so far, and more than happy to comfort a friend. Live, Laugh, Love & Learn.
| | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 622 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: May 2007 Posts: 622 | Before I forget, again, another great site for sun protection wear. http://www.tilley.com/certified_sun.aspI've got one of their TH5 Hemp Hats. Best I've ever owned. http://www.kevin.fastbytes.netThat's me (and the hat), 3 months post treatment 18 YEAR SURVIVOR SCC Tongue (T3N0M0) diag 06/2006. No evidence of disease 2010 Another PET 12-2014 pre-HBO, still N.E.D.
�Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. It matters that you don't just give up.� Stephen Hawking | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 580 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 580 | I have one too Kevin. Had it for ten years. The darn things don't wear out. Great for protecting yer head from the sun though. Mike
Dentist since 1995, 12 year Cancer Survivor, Father, Husband, Thankful to so many who supported me on my journey so far, and more than happy to comfort a friend. Live, Laugh, Love & Learn.
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