| | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 126 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP  Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 126 | I think I remember hearing that you would always have to protect areas that under went radiation? What is recommended for the face? Has any one had problems with sun exposure after radiaton 
Sharon, 57; Hard Palate; T1, High Grade, DX 6-12-09, Surgery, maxillectomy 7-14-09, 33 RT (9-2-09 to 10-19-09); Prothesis (obturator). None smoker, non drinker.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | I was told wear a strong sunscreen and a hat while outside during the summer. I use a moisturizer that has sunscreen in it, alot of makeups also have it in there too.
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: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 | Don't just wear any hat. The hat itself should be broad brimmed and UV protective. I bought a Tilley hat in Alaska, and it has been fantastic. Probably will order another this year. They are based in Canada, and have a great web site. Worth a look.
Jeff
SCC Right BOT Dx 3/28/2007
T2N2a M0G1,Stage IVa
Bilateral Neck Dissection 4/11/2007
39 x IMRT, 8 x Cisplatin Ended 7/11/07
Complete response to treatment so far!!
| | | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | I use the same SPF 15 sun screen on my face that I have always used. I do not put anything on my neck nor do I wear a hat. Other than my face, I also do not burn unless I really overdo it. I didn't notice any difference between sun exposure before or after radiation but I had XRT not IMRT. I think a lot depends on your skin type and where you live.
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 790 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 790 | My scars tend to get darker in the sun and the radiatio burn to my neck near the neck dissection area gets easily irritated but that has more to do with the high spf sunscreen than the actual sun. I've been searching for high spf sunscreent hat doesn't irritate my skin or make it peel. Shisedio 55 is great but expensive. I just ordered Cetaphil lotion with spf 50 and I'm hoping this will be good because its reccomended by dermatologists for people with sensitive skin. I hadn't seen it before-- so I'm hopeful!
K
Tongue Cancer T2 N0 M0 /
Total Glossectomy Due to Location of Tumor
Finished all treatments May 25 2007
Surviving!!!
| | | | | 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 never did wear (at least rarely) sun care cream and I still don't. I never used to burn and I still don't. I don't see any difference in my face or neck post Tx except I no longer have whiskers below my chin line.
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: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I wear nothing either and live outside when it is warm weather I do get a nice tan tho. The sun doen't seem to bother the radiated areas.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 126 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 126 | Thank you for the responses. We are planning on a cruise at the end of the month and was worried about what might be different now from pre-radiation. I want to be prepared and wasn't sure what to expect since I haven't gone through a summer since radiation.
Sharon, 57; Hard Palate; T1, High Grade, DX 6-12-09, Surgery, maxillectomy 7-14-09, 33 RT (9-2-09 to 10-19-09); Prothesis (obturator). None smoker, non drinker.
| | | | | 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 | OK let me follow up on my recent post but first I need to get my foot out of my mouth. OK, that's done...yesterday as part of my campaigning (ugh, ugh and double ugh) I HAD to take a kayak tour of what we call the Clam Bayou since it's restoration is a hot topic in our City with more political sides than one can imagine. Anyway off I go with swim trunks on and NO SUNSCREEN on my pale white legs for what turned out to be 3 hours in cool but dazzling sun conditions, 12 to 3 pm. This am I wake up to 10th degree sunburn. My exposed legs look like a candy cane without the white strips. One would think at my age I could keep that foot out of my mouth.
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: Nov 2009 Posts: 396 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 396 | ouch david....u know, the foot easily inserts at any age.
Teresa
-----------
CG to ANDY. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)
T2N2cMxG4 stage 4. 43 @ dx 8/31/09
tx 9/21/09-11/06/09 cispatin/docetaxel/5-FU X3
PORT 9/9/09, PEG 12/07/09
35 IMRT-1/wk carbo 11/30/09-2/3/10
tx stopped due to complications
IMRT BOOST 3/08-3/12/10
PET 4/12/10 CLEAR!
PEG out 4/14/10
| | | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Ouch David, that hurts. If you can buy Aloe Relief down there, it will take the heat right out of it and help prevent the peel. What idiot arranged the trip for that time of day?
Sharon,
Remember, I said location had a lot to do with how much protection one might need. If you are going on a cruise, be very careful as you can find yourself out in the sun during the worst hours of the day. Also, as David found out, being on the water makes you burn faster. Even I wear some sunscreen when on a cruise or in the islands. Enjoy your trip!
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 |
Liz in the UK
Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.
Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 126 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 126 | David,
You did not need to go out and perform an experiment LOL. I do appreciate the effort. So the morale to the story is "sun won't effect the radiated area, but does still cause burn to unprotected skin". I will take this under advicement and be prepared.
Sharon
Sharon, 57; Hard Palate; T1, High Grade, DX 6-12-09, Surgery, maxillectomy 7-14-09, 33 RT (9-2-09 to 10-19-09); Prothesis (obturator). None smoker, non drinker.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | On a cruise you are on salt water which will make you burn much easier. A little breeze and it gets worse.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 126 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 126 | Yea, and I have a big skin graft area on my leg that is bound to be extremely sensitive to sun as well. Still looking forward to the time away but plan to be cautious.
Sharon
Sharon, 57; Hard Palate; T1, High Grade, DX 6-12-09, Surgery, maxillectomy 7-14-09, 33 RT (9-2-09 to 10-19-09); Prothesis (obturator). None smoker, non drinker.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I had the 1st ever staple out into my right shoulder in 1972 to hold my bicept tendon in place at UPMC in Pittsburgh . We always went to Fla, for Easter and loved the sun and warm air. Not thinking, I was in the sun much too longand the staple just had a little scar tissue over it. Damn, the staple got so hot I thought it was going to burn the tissue right off of it. Tee shirt time from then on for that vacation. The sun penetrates pretty good and deep on scar tissue.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
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