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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on August 27, 2007, at 0:52:45
I have this weird bump on my ear. I've had it for months. I didn't really worry about it, but today my aunt noticed it and said I should get it checked out. Then I told my Mom about it and then she agreed.
Now I'm reading up on skin cancer and I'm afraid every mole/freckle/patch? is skin cancer.
I'm going to the walk-in clinic tomorrow to ask about my bump and skin cancer.
I hate this. I think I need to get my whole body checked for skin cancer before I can rest.
I hate this. I've also started worrying about other diseases too.
I need to get a check up.
I can't deal with disease. I wish for sudden quick painless death in my sleep when I'm old and tired of life.
Posted by gardenergirl on August 29, 2007, at 11:00:47
In reply to My latest fear: skin cancer, posted by Deneb on August 27, 2007, at 0:52:45
Deneb,
I have very fair skin, and I have a history of several blistering sunburns when I was young. These are two risk factors for skin cancer. Both my parents had basal cell carcinomas removed, and that's another risk factor for me. I'm going to have a dermatologist look at a couple of things on my arm soon. The doc at the clinic looked at it and recommended seeing a derm.It can be very worrisome, but it's important to keep the realities in mind about skin cancers. Many skin cancer lesions are very very treatable and are not fatal. Melanoma is more likely to be fatal, especially if it's not caught early enough. The good thing is that there are lots of pics on the web and educational info out there to help us more effectively monitor our skin health. What I have on my arm is most likely the beginning of a basal cell lesion in very early stages. It might be nothing. It might be pre-cancerous. But while I know I need to get it checked out, I know it's not melanoma, so I know that I don't need to invest much (really any) emotional energy into worrying about it being something fatal. Does that make sense?
And it's also helpful to focus on what you can do to control things. Wear sunscreen if you are going to be out between 10 and 4 for sure. And make sure it's adequate for your needs in SPF. Follow the usage instructions for application, etc. I wear moisturizer with sunscreen in it every day, so my face is protected everyday. In the summer even just for running errants, I use a moisturizer on my arms and legs with at least SPF 15, because you do get sun exposure just going from the car to and from buildings.
I hope the doctor was/will be able to reassure you about your skin and that you feel more confident about all of this now.
Take care,
gg
Posted by Deneb on August 29, 2007, at 22:58:37
In reply to Re: My latest fear: skin cancer » Deneb, posted by gardenergirl on August 29, 2007, at 11:00:47
The doctor said she doesn't know what it is, but it looks like some benign growth. I'm going to see a dematologist, but it may take several months. She told me not to worry about it.
I'm bad, I don't wear sunscreen on regular days. I've only gotten a sun burned once. I don't burn easily. I have several moles, maybe I really should start wearing sunscreen.
When I do wear sunscreen I really slather it on (like big huge globs of the stuff LOL). I use so much of it that I have to rub it in for a few minutes for it to disappear. Do you buy a LOT of sunscreen? I read that most people don't use enough sunscreen.
Posted by Deneb on October 2, 2007, at 0:05:42
In reply to Re: My latest fear: skin cancer, posted by Deneb on August 29, 2007, at 22:58:37
I'm worried about skin cancer again. I'm still worried about that weird thing on my ear and now there's something else I'm worried about. There's this fleshed coloured small bump on my chest near my neck.
I hate this. Now every mole, every freckle can be cancer.
This is the end of the thread.
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