#58514 06-13-2006 04:55 PM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | OP  Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 316 | Hi all, Went to the H & N clinic yesterday for the 3 monthly nose scope, etc, and all is good. I am now on the 4 monthly scope - it is 2.25 years since the end of radiation. One question I have is being out in the full sunshine. Is it okay now? I love the beach and outdoors, and was a bit remiss during treatment and after, with sunscreens, hats and so forth. Asking specialists, I find it's like trying to get blood out of a stone, plus I tend to forget if I don't take a list of questions...I forgot yesterday...  Tizz
End of Radiation - the "Ides of March" 2004 :-)
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#58515 06-13-2006 05:35 PM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 261 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 261 | Slather up with sunscreen & enjoy, I say. Lifes awfully short not to enjoy the sunshine. Maybe I'm full of sh*t, but I love the feeling of sun on my skin, especially up here in the Seattle area! LOL Good for you on your 2 + years!
dx 2/11/04 scca bot T3 IU 2B MO poorly differentiated, margins ok, 3/16 modest, jaw split, over half of tongue removed, free flap from left forearm - finished chemo & rad treatment 5/20/04
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#58516 06-14-2006 01:10 AM | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 207 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 207 | Hi Tizz,
I'm 1.5 years out and enjoy the beach regularly. Use sun screen (I hate the stuff) and you'll be fine.
Steve
SCC, base of tongue, 2 lymph nodes, stage 3/4. 35 X's IMRT radiation, chemo: Cisplatin x 2, 5FU x2, & Taxol x2. Hooray, after 3 years I'm in still in remission.
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#58517 06-14-2006 12:07 PM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 417 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 417 |
Stage 3, T3,N1,M0,SCC, Base of Tongue. No Surgery, Radiationx39, Chemo, Taxol & Carboplatin Weekly 8 Treatments 2004. Age 60. Recurrence 2/06, SCC, Chest & Neck (Sub clavean), Remission 8/06. Recurrence SCC 12/10/06 Chest.
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#58518 06-14-2006 02:25 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 528 "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 528 | Congratulations Tizz - wonderful news from your docs.
I have had two BCCs removed from my face since radiation. The second is causing problems. It is just above the radiation field, has been excised twice and seems to be active again.
I asked my dermatologist whether my radiated skin was more susceptible to sun damage and her answer was an unequivocal 'yes'. Possibly because I'd already had two BCCs.
Love and light from Helen
RHTonsil SCC Stage IV tx completed May 03
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#58519 06-14-2006 04:38 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,140 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,140 Likes: 1 | Tizz, I have fair skin and got a very stern lecture from the rad doc about the radiated skin being forever more MUCH more sensitive to the bad effects of the sun. I have learned to love hats and SPF 50 -- and the new, improved spray on tans (grin). Just not worth the risk to resume roasting. | | |
#58520 06-15-2006 04:25 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 | Tizz,
To follow up on Helen's post, I've also had a small BCC removed from my face. I noticed it about a year ago and had it removed and biopsied right away. My dermatologist thought it probably was related to the prior radiation in that area.
Over the years since my radiation, I've tried to be more vigilant with sunscreen, as I play golf and work in the garden from time to time. Just yesterday I was at the beach (we're on vacation) and was able to stake out a spot in a small portable cabana -- that way I could enjoy being at the beach while still having plenty of shade.
Cathy
Tongue SCC (T2M0N0), poorly differentiated, diagnosed 3/89, partial glossectomy and neck dissection 4/89, radiation from early June to late August 1989
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#58521 06-15-2006 06:37 AM | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Tizz,
I've spent my entire life sunbathing and do tan and never use a sun screen or tanning lotion of any kind except for my nose and feet unless I'm out on the water or in the Carribbean. I spend every weekend on the beach and have not noticed any difference in my tanning after radiation. I do stay out of the sun between 11 and 1:30 and generally do not go the beach before the afternoon. I will burn if sun reflecting off water, but that has nothing to do with radiation.
Go to it and enjoy. You know your tolerance level. Just be cautious and keep an eye out to see if you are extra sensitive. I'll be thinking of you as I settle in by the sea with my book this weekend.
Enjoy and 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
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#58522 06-15-2006 04:05 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,676 | Advice from a Southern Grandma- stay out of that sun between 11:00 to 4:00. Take a nap, read a book under an umbrella-whatever. Don't ask for trouble. Amy
CGtoJohn:SCC Flr of Mouth.Dx 3\05. Surg.4\05.T3NOMO.IMRTx30. Recur Dx 1\06.Surg 2\06. Chemo: 4 Cycles of Carbo\Taxol:on Erbitux for 7 mo. Lost our battle 2-23-07- But not the will to fight this disease
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