Wednesday, January 14, 2009

My Public Service Announcement

The cold front which has invaded paradise was somewhat to blame for keeping me indoors, though I've also been hiding out after treatment from a Mohs specialist for basal cell carcinoma - a very treatable form of skin cancer - on my face, no less!

In this abnormally cold weather it is fairly easy to stay indoors and hide out from the sun, which I've been ordered to avoid for approximately three weeks. Hopefully the cold front will move through quickly and the north wind which assails us will push the Portuguese Man o' War far offshore.

If you see me out and about with bandaids on my face this weekend, I swear I haven't taken up shaving! It's the convergence of a lifetime of sun exposure and my Scots-Irish heritage with a Mohs specialist, despite the fact sunscreen has been the first thing I apply in the morning before hitting the beach ever since I moved here.

Public Service Announcement for the day: Basal cell carcinoma is generally the result of a lifetime of exposure to the sun. Enjoy paradise, but frequently slather SPF 30 sunscreen on yourself and especially children. Each sunburn makes you more prone to skin cancer.

3 comments:

American Highlander said...

I had some nasty melanoma taken off my back a few years ago I'm pretty sure was caused by snorkeling in the late '70's at Pensacola Beach. Now I have to cover up when I go in. Looks weird, but you gotta do it!

Anonymous said...

Wowzers!

At least it's treatable. Hope you feel much much better real quick.

Barrier Island Girl said...

Hey, Highlander, I'm very glad to hear they were successful in removing it all. You're exactly right, you do what you have to do. I'm thankful I've only had to deal with basal cell carcinoma.

Thanks, Tony. I feel fine and made it out to the Chili Cook-off today. Just slapped on a couple of bandaids! Life is good.

DJ