A Reality Check -- Skin Cancer

[prefers shiners]

Yesterday, 3/4, my dermatologist removed a skin cancer from my hand. It was what they call a "Squamous Cell Carcinoma" ....he had to really dig a big chunk out of my hand to make sure he got it all....11 stitches.....it is not the worst kind you can have but it can take you down.....he said this came from many previous years of not using any sun screen.....in recent years I have been trying to use it often....when I can remember to put it on.....once I get on the water I don't want to stop fishing (reminds me of Bobfish) to do it so I started putting the sunscreen on at home before I left (Didi taught me that).....folks, I am not posting this to draw attention to myself, but to issue a warning to all those out there like me who do not worry about the danger....you know, when you cut yourself with a knife, there is an immediate wound that you can relate the action with the consequence.......with skin cancer, it can take years before you see the consequences of not using sun screen.....I will be OK....the doctor said the worst kind is Melanoma and I do not have that.....make yearly checkups with your dermatologist see him immediately if you find something not normal.....I am posting 2 pictures....I hope they are not to gross for anyone but they may wake someone up (like me) to start taking this disease seriously.....sometimes it takes a picture to have a "reality check"...now, lets go jerk some slabs.....

[bluethunder]

Sorry to hear that PS. A little food for thought never hurt anyone.

[Bobfish11]

Glad they got it all..thats a big chunk missing out of your hand...my wife and i are nurses and i always worry about sun damage..i use sunscreen most of the time but prevention is hard especially when you are outdoors a lot .I worked on the oncology floor for a while and any kind of cancer is scary, I had a friend,fellow fisherman who died of melanoma..i am happy that you will be ok...i do a lot of wound care so nothing grosses me out....lol...take care and hope to see ya on the water

[Jim]

I have been putting on sun screen for years every morning. First place that I noticed was on my ears. I have had places cut off on arms, ears, face and have had numerous places frozen. All I can say is go and buy some good shirts, good hats and put sunscreen in your truck, boat and tackle box and use it.

[LBM]

Glad to see it was not the worst kind for you. I've now had basal cell carcinomas removed from my face and one from my back. Thankfully mine was not a aggressive form of cancer.

I use sunscreen all the time now on my face and like you it's applied at home before going out but I don't like to use sunscreen on my hands. I wear sun gloves like these while on the water. Glacier Glove Dr. Shade Lycra Sun Glove with PU Palm

[prefers shiners]

Glad to see it was not the worst kind for you. I've now had basal cell carcinomas removed from my face and one from my back. Thankfully mine was not a aggressive form of cancer.

I use sunscreen all the time now on my face and like you it's applied at home before going out but I don't like to use sunscreen on my hands. I wear sun gloves like these while on the water. Glacier Glove Dr. Shade Lycra Sun Glove with PU Palm

thanks LBM.....I have been using a pair of cloth gloves ($1.50) with the fingers cut off but I will go to BPS tomorrow and see if they have them in stock.....thanks again....

[PawPaw Gene]

Glad to hear the outcome was good and thanks for the reminder I've gone too long with using anything so maybe it's time I start.
"gene"

[MO Slab]

Glad to hear they were able to remove all of it.Even though I'm only 36,I wear sunscreen on my face,hat, and wear breathable long sleeve shirts in the summer.I see guys that fish all day without a shirt on.They will pay for that later on in life...Columbia makes a real nice pair of lightweight,breathable fishing gloves with the fingers cut.I bought some last year but haven't tried them yet.After seeing this,I will this summer...thanks P.S.

[Don G]

I sent this email to Bruce(Prefers Shiners) this morning...

Bruce, just went through 3 surgeries starting with a little bump about the size of a pencil eraser on the back of my arm..Didn't get it all with the first surgery so my GP sent me to a surgeon and he went wide and deep..He got all of the cancer but found a swollen lymph node under my arm..Did the 3rd surgery removing the lymph node.. The biopsy came back showing no signs of cancer..I looked like I had been in a car wreck from my arm pit half way down my side...It was also squamous cell...This routine started in December and ended this past Wednesday...I guess that old Gulf Coast sun did me in..

I also put the sun screen on prior to leaving the house or I won't do it..

Glad we both got good results...

[prefers shiners]

Folks.........protecting yourself from the sun is just as important as wearing a life jacket.....it could save your life.......