Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#75541 06-12-2008 09:09 AM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
OP Offline
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6

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.



Christine
SCC 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 smile
ChristineB #75545 06-12-2008 11:50 AM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 621
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: May 2007
Posts: 621
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=15

That 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


9 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)
Offline
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.
davidcpa #75552 06-12-2008 02:00 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 621
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: May 2007
Posts: 621
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


9 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)
Offline
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"
Nelie #75584 06-13-2008 06:38 AM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 79
Senior Member (75+ posts)
Offline
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.
ord_dfw #75586 06-13-2008 06:51 AM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,311
Senior Patient Advocate
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
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 smile 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.
davidcpa #75607 06-13-2008 12:58 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 580
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Offline
"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.
Dr. Mike #75608 06-13-2008 01:13 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 621
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: May 2007
Posts: 621
Before I forget, again, another great site for sun protection wear.

http://www.tilley.com/certified_sun.asp

I've got one of their TH5 Hemp Hats. Best I've ever owned.
http://www.kevin.fastbytes.net

That's me (and the hat), 3 months post treatment smile





9 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)
Offline
"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.
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
Top Posters
ChristineB 10,507
davidcpa 8,311
Cheryld 5,260
EzJim 5,260
Brian Hill 4,912
Newest Members
Jina, VintageMel, rahul320, Sean916, Megm37
13,103 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums23
Topics18,166
Posts196,921
Members13,103
Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020
OCF Awards

Great Nonprofit OCF 2023 Charity Navigator OCF Guidestar Charity OCF

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5