I work in a garden center, and I have been nervous about one thing, I don't think of it when I see my rad DR so I will ask here. Where I had the radiation, of course my skin was black but it came off with time and a scrubbie. What I want to know is the skin where the burn mark was still tender enough that when I am at work will my skin turn darker then the rest of my skin? Is it more suseptible to sunburn? Cancer? I have stayed inside for the most part of this year and didn't get as dark as I usually get becuase of fear. Yes I know about sunscreen but I sweat and it gets in my eyes. I don't know how long I can avoid working outside again before my boss gets angry. True I have been there 10 years and he knows what I have gone through, he's like a brother to me but he still can tell me to hit the road. So what do we think can I play in the sun again?

You're pretty much going to be in a lifelong battle with the sunshine! If you have to be out in it just make sure you use a really good sunscreen and maybe wear a big hat or something like that. I know they make clothing with SPF built into it, maybe you could look into that? Your skin will definitely burn easier now that you have had radiation. I have basically had a love affair with the sun since I was really young. I do a lot of hiking, play tennis, swimming, I was a lifeguard, etc., I never realized my natural skin color was so pasty white until this summer when I didn't get to go out at all! So I'm keeping an eye out for a fancy hat to wear around! Haha.

I'm an Irish boy with red hair (ok..its arctic blonde now) and freckles. Long sleeve shirts and hats and sunglasses are always with me. Sunblocks are much better than sunscreens if you have to be in the sun. Zincofax is a sun block but, if you don't want to look like a stoner cast member from "Fast Times at Ridgemount High", I would suggest a sunblock that contains titanium dioxide. This stuff is expensive but it works. It doesn't leave the white or whatever color the surfer dudes are using now.
Pasty white is the new bronze!!
(...I thought it would look great on a billboard...guess not)
Cheers,
Mike

I have a Tilley hat that I am never without on the golf course or anytime I am going to be outside for extended period. Here is the link: http://www.tilley.com/certified_sun.asp

Best hat I have ever owned, and one of the few companies that makes hats large enough for my big head. Bought mine in Skagway, Alaska while on a cruise, but online is probably easier. ;-)

Thanks Jeff,
I have just had a look at the women�s hats and am amazed at the variety and styles.
As we have just gone in to spring and summer is around the corner I will be placing an order. Problem is which one as I like the look of quite a few of them
Gabriele

I never (rarely) had sunburn issues and I live in Fl and I'm outside as much as I can. I also seldom use any sunscreen lotions. I always tend to have a mild tan even in the winter and I haven't had one issue with the sun post Tx. I do wear a large brimmed hat and long pants when I do yard work. Now I'm not suggesting that you throw caution to the wind but that's just my story.

I'm like David. I don't burn any more or less since I had radiation. I spend 4-5 hours on the beach in the afternoon every weekend all summer. I use SPF 15 sunblock on my face as I always did, but nothing on my neck. I am light skinned but brown easily rather then burn. Be careful, I don't think you have to hide indoors all day if you use a good sunblock. Go easy at first until you see how your skin reacts.

Take care,
Eileen

I use sunscreen and a hat. I've noticed that the radiation has aged my skin a lot in the area of treatment. I have dark spots and age spots and also wrinkles that I did not have before. I am using a vitamin c serum on it hoping that it will help. But my skin is still soft so I am greatful for that.

Like Jeff I have not only a Tiley hat, but also some shirts and stuff. My RO and my Derm have suggested that I always wear sunscreen and do "whatever it takes" to prevent further damage to that area. Just because you do not see anything, doesn't mean there is not any there.

http://www.solumbra.com/shop.asp

Sun exposure causes damage whether or not you burn easily or just tan painlessly. Remember that the appearance of a tan is a protective mechanism that appears after sun exposure to protect the undelying basement cells. Don't be fooled there is no such thing as a healthy tan. UVA/UVB rays are radiation and we all know that radiation is a cumulative insult.
So protect yourself now and reap the benefits later in life.
I own two tilley hats that have been well used.

Cheers,
Mike