Use sunscreen!

Yes, I know the title is all caps, but since I'm paying with my hide (literally) for my dermatologist's Mercedes, boat and kid's college education because of my life in the sun, thought it was worth emphasizing!

I'm not dying or really at risk in any significant way, but I have had several large chunks of flesh taken, unexpectedly, by my doc, and a couple turned out to be early stage skin cancer. All of it was gotten, but now I'm in the loop of 6 month full body skin checks, occasional (semi annual) freezing of things that are "suspicious" on my face and hands, and generally PO'd that because of ignorance and arrogance about sunscreen I'm spending a lot of time and $$ and being caused to hurt and bleed.

Take care of yourselves, especially you young guys!

Just a public service announcement from a fairly dark-skinned old white guy. :gaah:

Great advice. I'm in a similar boat so it is more common than you'd think.

Bob

You are so right. You have to be careful.

People that see me out in the blazing sun riding on the tractor mowing with long pants, a long sleeved sun shirt and a cap with an oversized bill and a neck flap must think that I'm nuts.
Yeah it's hot, but I learned years ago.
I've seen way too many relatives and friends going through the trips to the dermatologist.

Pete <:-}

Guys that worked outdoors in long sleeve shirts and wide brim hats had the right idea.
Since high school I've tried to be more cautious. Too many people having to get skin taken off.

Glad to hear you are okay. I worked with a gentleman that had to get regular checks and have patches lasered off ever so often. Fortunately it didn't seem to be serious enough to require surgery.

Reminds me of a story that I read about that used truck drivers for a test sample.

They had their left arms out the window {In the USA! LOL} and compared their right to left side. The study was regarding the effects of the sun.

And as I write this I am aging myself when mentioning having the window rolled down while driving.................

How many here remember wing windows?;)

Had a teacher in HS that said he fished a lot with no shirt or sunscreen. That was until he had to have a section of skin removed from his chest.

SPF Styling :rock:

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Originally Posted by 32t

Reminds me of a story that I read about that used truck drivers for a test sample.

They had their left arms out the window {In the USA! LOL} and compared their right to left side. The study was regarding the effects of the sun.

And as I write this I am aging myself when mentioning having the window rolled down while driving.................

How many here remember wing windows?;)

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Back when I worked as a field mechanic for Green Giant, the machine operators would peal off their shirts and t-shirts as soon as they could. I wore my long sleeved shirts all day long, every day.

One day a couple of them asked me how I could stand to have my shirt one and I pointed out the darkened area and said "See those, thats wet with sweat and every time a slight breeze comes up I actually get chills so I'm cooler than you guys are".

The only short sleeves that I own today are my regular white t-shirts and my Harley shirts and I don't go outside much wearing either. When I ride I always wear my long sleeves, even with the leather jacket.

Now--about wing windows--Oh Yea! Ly

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I remember those. Didn't know that is what they were callled (or forgot).:gaah:

Seriously, and I am not belittling your situation but how does skin cancer rank in the average population deaths.

For myself and situation I am worried about many other things before how much time I spent in the sun.

If i worry to much I should just go jump off the bridge now.

In these parts with sunshine most of the year and one mile plus elevation UV is a really dirty word. In the summer especially you go outside for 15 minutes and you come in with a nasty sunburn.

Skin Cancer treatment is big business here. You need to be really covered up and wear good UV block. You can get a mole and not realize it and before you know it you have a major case of skin cancer.

A few years ago our congressman developed a mole on his head and without treatment it eventually ate his skull up and it spread into his brain. He died a horrible death.

UV protection is serious stuff.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

In these parts with sunshine most of the year and one mile plus elevation UV is a really dirty word. In the summer especially you go outside for 15 minutes and you come in with a nasty sunburn.

Skin Cancer treatment is big business here. You need to be really covered up and wear good UV block. You can get a mole and not realize it and before you know it you have a major case of skin cancer.

A few years ago our congressman developed a mole on his head and without treatment it eventually ate his skull up and it spread into his brain. He died a horrible death.

UV protection is serious stuff.

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So what are the odds of this being how I die?

Sorry guys, god made me to walk this earth as I am, I can't wear the stuff.

I've lived, working jobs that are outdoor related, as well as being a avid fisherman. My job of a marine technician, keeps me near water and sun for most of the year.

I don't even burn anymore, I suck in the rays, and turn a mahogany brown, quite quickly. But I protect myself the best I can, when needed.

Don't forget the floor vents, Tim. And the bee's.!!

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Originally Posted by 32t

So what are the odds of this being how I die?

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I'm not worried about dying...none of us gets out alive. I'd just like everyone to have a more pleasant, less painful time getting there.:shrug:

You know there's this way to die and that way to die and the unhealthful things we all do add up.

Like a friend of mine used to say, when your number is up it's up. I used to say yea but you don't have to sneak to the front of the line. He wound up being T Boned in Tuscon riding his Harley and being dragged a block or so. Needless to say he ain't among the living.

I'm not saying you have to deprive yourself and live in a shell but there are conservative things we can all do and still enjoy life.

I remember not wearing enough sunscreen when I got to go swimming as a kid. You would think the pain, chills, and having your skin peel off would make it a one time occurrence. Nope!

Forgive me my brothers as I can't help myself Attachment 305426

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkfFmKsmyWo

Funny you post this, NOT! I just got biopsy reports on three suspicious spots, fortunately for they were not cancerous. Had all the signs though.

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Originally Posted by ScottGoodman

Funny you post this, NOT! I just got biopsy reports on three suspicious spots, fortunately for they were not cancerous. Had all the signs though.

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Scott,

My sincere apologies for my inappropriate timing with the video humor.

I'm very glad that your tests came back negative.

I also do hope all is going well on the home front as I know it's a struggle.

YOLO...

you only live once.

Make the best of it, have no regrets, then laugh at the face of death.

Life is a journey.... Not a destination.

Sun's out Guns out or so it's said, I have never been one to worry about the sun. I don'r remember ever getting a sunburn as a kid but now it seems the sun is different and I burn 3 or 4 times a year.
I never used sunscreen but always liked suntan oil and generally was shirtless whenever possible. I get my first lesion removed April 23. So yeah, you young fellas out there cover up.
Mike

Cover up isn't the only thing. Trying to stay out of the sun during peak times - roughly 11 am to 2 -3 pm - helps. After a lifetime of being careful still doesn't keep you from its effects. I'm up for my third Mohs surgery shortly. Really painless but inconvenient to any kind of a structured life.

I will agree that protection ain’t bad, it’s good insurance. That said, I don’t use it either and probably should yet all my life outdoors in the worst sun around, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming, North Dakota, Saudi, Angola, Syria, gulf on a rig, North Sea on a rig, Alaska all heavy sun, your in it daylight to dark, I Have been fortunate and have seen guys who weren’t so lucky,, oh and a million miles on a motorcycle, like mike I just tan never burn.

Genetics has a lot to do with getting cancer. I am thinking as time goes on people will be able to see their increased risks and take appropriate precautions.

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Originally Posted by outback

YOLO...

you only live once.

Make the best of it, have no regrets, then laugh at the face of death.

Life is a journey.... Not a destination.

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I agree, but I do it smarter. On our beach holidays I wear long sleeve nylon fishing shirts that block a LOT of the UV rays. I won't give up the beach, but I can be smart about it!