Are you worried about skin cancer?

[Mario666]

Hi All,

 

My GF always covers up in the sun, but this is for the Thai "white skin is better" approach....Actually she is from Isaan and naturally coffee coloured....Beautiful  to me!

 

However, my next door neighbour is a white Farang from England and she never covers up in the sun.

 

She is a "Ginger" with freckles and I am worried about her......we live on Samui so plenty of sun....between floods.

 

She has skin cancer which she goes to have the enlarged moles/growths removed every 2 years in BKK.

 

She does not cover up when it's sunny....I think she is mental!

 

What do you reackon.....?

 

I am from mixed Italian/English heritage and have olive skin so rarely burn on the beach.

 

I never use sunscreen.

 

Do you sunbathe and if so what sunscreen do you use?

 

Just asking?

 

 

 

 

 

[Denim]

Know several people who have had some kind of skin cancer , one Aussie guy just left it untreated until too late and died. Had a small one cut out myself years ago since which time I am a lot more careful.

 

As for Thais , Cancer is a big killer for them too but not skin cancer.

 

Exposing yourself to too much sun is just plain stupid but if people don't care ....well then, it's their choice.

[Mario666]

Just now, Denim said:

Know several people who have had some kind of skin cancer , one Aussie guy just left it untreated until too late and died. Had a small one cut out myself years ago since which time I am a lot more careful.

 

As for Thais , Cancer is a big killer for them too but not skin cancer.

 

Exposing yourself to too much sun is just plain stupid but if people don't care ....well then, it's their choice.

Many thanks for your reply Denim...When I first came to Thailand on holiday 12 years ago I did the "sunbathe" from 10:00am until 4:00pm like most stupid "Farangs"....even though I have olive skin, I rarely go out when the sun is strong.....

 

I think this is a good approach.....I know the girlies don't want to be dark (most Thai guys don't care)...but I rarely see Thais on the beach apart from JetSki Gangsters and itinerant beach vendors.....trying to sell me anything from fake silk bed covers, fake watches,  fake sunglasses, REAL ice creams or REAL Drugs!

[nanglong218]

I envy the OP's olive skin,  as a redhead Anglo/Celt I must be careful.  Slip,slap,slop the 50 factor, wide brimmed hat, never wear a singlet before evening.  When I first got to Australia I noticed many people who looked old for their age because of sun damage to their skin.  It's a big killer there.  The state of Victoria has closed down all the suntan parlours.      I'd get it sprayed on if you are that vain.

[Mario666]

Just now, nanglong218 said:

I envy the OP's olive skin,  as a redhead Anglo/Celt I must be careful.  Slip,slap,slop the 50 factor, wide brimmed hat, never wear a singlet before evening.  When I first got to Australia I noticed many people who looked old for their age because of sun damage to their skin.  It's a big killer there.  The state of Victoria has closed down all the suntan parlours.      I'd get it sprayed on if you are that vain.

Agree entirely mate...My Mum and eldest brother live in OZ and always cover up....But that's because of the hole in "The Ozone Layer" there.

[lovelomsak]

I practically lived out side most of my life. I sailed all year round with out a hat because it would blow off while racing. Now I have skin cancer on my scalp.I advise any one coming to Thailand to wear protection. Hat's sun screen you name it use it.

Edited March 2, 2018 by lovelomsak

[BobbyL]

Factor 50 all the way for me now. I don't go out in the sun unless I am playing golf or on holiday on the beach. No sunbathing anymore either. 

 

I had an actinic keratosis a few years ago that I had to have treated. I was only 27 when I got it and they don't normally appear on men until much later. 

[Mario666]

Just now, lovelomsak said:

I practically lived out side most of my life. I sailed all year round with out a hat because it would blow off while racing. Now I have skin cancer on my scalp.I advise any one coming to Thailand to wear protection. Hat's sun screen you name it use it.

Thanks lovesomsak for your comment....I guess it's alright to take the sun for a short while (even then use protection)...But  unfortunately English-Types spend their lives "Freezing" at home   https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/sea-freezes-waves-break-huge-12109103  so  when they come to anywhere "Sunny" they practically become "Naturists"! 55555

[Mario666]

6 minutes ago, BobbyL said:

Factor 50 all the way for me now. I don't go out in the sun unless I am playing golf or on holiday on the beach. No sunbathing anymore either. 

 

I had an actinic keratosis a few years ago that I had to have treated. I was only 27 when I got it and they don't normally appear on men until much later. 

May I ask your age and ethnicity sir?

[BobbyL]

3 minutes ago, Mario666 said:

May I ask your age and ethnicity sir?

29 and white (British). 

[Mario666]

44 minutes ago, Denim said:

Know several people who have had some kind of skin cancer , one Aussie guy just left it untreated until too late and died. Had a small one cut out myself years ago since which time I am a lot more careful.

 

As for Thais , Cancer is a big killer for them too but not skin cancer.

 

Exposing yourself to too much sun is just plain stupid but if people don't care ....well then, it's their choice.

Many Thais, particularly from Isaan apparently die from liver cancer which is believed caused by parasites in Pla Ra...Fermented River Fish Sauce.

[Mario666]

5 minutes ago, BobbyL said:

29 and white (British). 

Good for you mate....Look at the advice and stay out of the sun....Met loads of Farangs with skin issues from Thai sun.

[sniper]

Sun exposure makes you look older, it really damages skin, it's madness to do that, people then try to look young. Tanned skin on white people looks stupid. But culturally we have been forced to believe it's good to be brown and we laugh at the brown thais who want to be white 

[maxisrael]

I did not use sunscreen often and had several operations already due to skin cancer!  BEWARE !!

[bananafish]

I've lived in Thailand 5 years and am just as white now as I was the day I arrived, and I have fair hair and skin, I burn easily. 

 

I wear sunscreen every day I leave the house, even if it's cloudy, but only on my face and neck. I always wear long pants unless I'm swimming or something. When I swim I wear a surfers style swimming shirt. If I'm walking and know I'm going to be in direct sunlight for an extended period, I take an umbrella. 

 

I just don't like being in direct strong sunlight and I don't like the leathery looking skin I see others with. 

[Rawairat]

As a redhead who has lived in the tropics since I was a teen always cover up and/ or slap on screen. Worked on boats for 20 years and the Asians were always covered from head to toe only left a gap so they could see, followed their lead, even though they did it because only poor people have a tan from working in the paddy fields. Feel sorry for those tourists you see flying home looking like lobsters, been there and it isn’t fun.

[1FinickyOne]

The facts are out there, be it sun, beer, cigarettes or fast foods... choose your poison or not.

[ryane66]

I go to  a Dermatologist at the St.Louis Hospital every 6 months to have any precancerous spots removed. She uses liquid nitrogen and was educated and trained in the UK. Many years in the sun and the damage is already done. Long sleeve coveralls and hat when l am working in my yard. Impossible to avoid sun completely but doing the best l can.

[idman]

Being a stupid ejit in my younger days and thinking that a fair skinned Irish lad would look better with a tan I spent way too time in the sun.  I did however manage to get that tanned and right from the beach look, now I am paing the price for my stupidity.  Three melanomas removed, four Mose surgerys, multiple pre skin cancers treated and the list goes on.  I now see a Dermatologist here in Chiang Mai three times a year for a full skin inspection and twice a year when I am back in San Francisco.  I never leave my Condo without sunscreen, I wear long sleeved shirts in the daytime, I wear riding gloves and I wear long pants as part of my efforts to keep dying from skin cancer.  I have dodged three bullets already.  To you <deleted>..ing ejits here in Chiang Mai who are not dark skinned and hail from Europe or Noth America get a clue and cover up.  Everyday I see these morons riding their motorbikes and bicycles wearing nothing more than t-shirt/singlet and shorts and of course most of them with no protection on their bald heads.  YOu ARE going to get skin cancer, it's not a matter of if but when and for some by the time they actally try to do something it's too late.  Of course, as the Thai people say, up to you.

[cauldlad]

Had skin cancer 2.5 years ago. Cut myself shaving and it would not heal. Scab would drop off but would still be wet.

After a few weeks went to see a specialist. She said only way to tell is send a sample to the lab but needs to be removed anyway as it is ulcerated now and will not heal.

It was only about 1/4 inch but she cut about 1 inch out. 7days later results back from lab BCC Basal Cell Carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer.

She told me ANYONE can get skin cancer but most vulnerable are redheads fair skin and blue/ green eyes. (me)

Factor 50 now with a hat!!!

She also told me not to forget to put cream on your ears which I did not at the time. The previous week she had 3 patients all with ear problems.

[Old York]

Had the lot; squamous cell, basal cell, Bowens sarcoma, and recently incipient melanoma. The melanoma was in an area that never sees the sun on my upper back. Always keep covered and wear a hat.

When scaly patches first appear I apply the topical medication 'Aldara' and after a period of redness and itching the lesion usually disappears. I have a skin doctor regularly check my back which discovered the very early melanoma, which is deadly if left untreated.

[Autonuaq]

Your gif need to take extra vitamin D to compensate the effects caused  stupid idea of wanting to be white.

 

 

Clothes not protect against the sun if they have no special uv blocking.

Car glass and other glass as well not block the uv. I have color and not active sun bath just for being outside 

 

skin cancer is something to worry about and for caucasians to look after because skin is made low uv density to make it possible to get enough uv to make vitimin D

 

[WM1]

13 minutes ago, Old York said:

Had the lot; squamous cell, basal cell, Bowens sarcoma, and recently incipient melanoma. The melanoma was in an area that never sees the sun on my upper back. Always keep covered and wear a hat.

When scaly patches first appear I apply the topical medication 'Aldara' and after a period of redness and itching the lesion usually disappears. I have a skin doctor regularly check my back which discovered the very early melanoma, which is deadly if left untreated.

 

[tryasimight]

People need to understand ' skin cancer's. There are many forms a lot of which, while unsightly,  are usually benign. Solar keratosis,  basal cell etc( I've pretty well had them all). 

Melanoma is totally different and in many cases appears in places rarely exposed to the sun.  Mine was in my groin area and I could not see it.  Luckily it was itchy and that is was made me notice something wrong and it saved my life..... Well 13 years and counting.  My sisters friend is known as stumpy.... I'll leave that to your Imagination what bit got chopped off. I spoke to the parents of a 19 year old young lady who died from melanoma...... She had hers in the roof off her mouth. 

I talked frequently with my skin specialist and he is of the opinion that in his experience melanoma commonly occurs in moist areas not necessarily exposed to the sun directly as such - bottom of the feet,  armpits.

The removal is fairly straight forward - surgery to remove the suspect area for pathology followed up by a wide incision if at least 1cm around the primary site if malignancy is detected.  That's the easy part. 

The harder part to deal with is when you realise this Shit is real. Go for a full body CAT scan and hope to god it hasn't already spread. Then checks of lymph nodes every three months for 12 months then the same every six months for the next two years.  That's the physical part. 

Then we get to the mental part -depression,  panic attacks and agoraphobia are reportedly common.  I had all three although I didn't realise it was related to cancer.  It was only when I participated in  a PhD student research for her thesis that it became clear.

Melanoma is one of the deadly cancer's as it can spread easily. Get a penetration of more than 2mm and your chance of not surviving five years is 1 in 3.

Mine was 1.2 - 1 in 25 chance of not surviving 5 years. 

Edited March 3, 2018 by tryasimight

[Speedo1968]

Now in my 70's ( from UK and white ) I spent most of my working life since I was 15 out in the sun - farming. 

Depending on the country I was in I would normally cover up except for a hat - could not work wearing one even in a Winter sun..

Spent some years during the 1960's and 70's in Australia where I body surfed daily, the only sun tan lotion that would stay on in the sea for hours at a time was olive oil.   

Even as a young child and later in life I used to sea swim, so back, arms, head exposed to sun

No general cancer so far but have some actinic keratosis on my head.

 

I have two daughters same mother ( from Dominica ), both children have very different genetic make-up.   One tans in a day the other is almost pure Caribe and she goes red in the sun, including her hair, takes 2 - 3 weeks to become brown.    So having some African / Caribe blood may not protect you.

 

Our life and working styles are so different today than in the past, making us more susceptible to sun damage, add to this pollution, missing ozone etc.we and our children and their children need to be more aware and sensible about venturing outside.     Unfortunately that wonderful feeling of freedom when running in the sun, whether it be through a field in Spring time or along a beach in Summer / Winter, should be viewed with caution and responsible care to ourselves and our loved ones.

 

 

[Stevemercer]

I'm very worried about exposure to the sun. I'm outdoors for an average of 4 hours per day cycling, working on the farm or travelling around on the scooter.

 

I cover up and apply sunscreen, but there are always times when I get caught out (5 minutes walk from the car to a restaurant, some crisis with the dog etc).

 

In Australia kids are taught from an early age to cover up, though not all do. I doubt Europeans get the same message given the different climates.

 

However, Thailand would be in the same, or higher, risk category than Australia.

 

I'm nearly 60 and haven't had any skins examinations yet, but need to start thinking about it.

[sawadee1947]

just joking or seriously asking????  of course you should use sunscreen with the highest number on it

[nsimmons]

Hi All,

 

My pal Bill cured his skin cancer with Black Salve, details are at www.goo.gl/voSywf

 

Cheers,

 

NS

Edited March 3, 2018 by nsimmons

[lvr181]

On 3/2/2018 at 4:25 PM, Mario666 said:

She does not cover up when it's sunny....I think she is mental!

 

What do you reackon.....?

 

She is..................

 

I have skin cancers removed at about the rate of 3 every two years. Picture below is for a BCC removed recently. The cause was not knowing about the use of sunscreens as a kid. Now I have three monthly check ups with my local skin cancer specialist. Feel free to show her my picture. About 40 sutures.

 

 

 

Apologies for size of pic.

[Mario666]

7 minutes ago, lvr181 said:

She is..................

 

I have skin cancers removed at about the rate of 3 every two years. Picture below is for a BCC removed recently. The cause was not knowing about the use of sunscreens as a kid. Now I have three monthly check ups with my local skin cancer specialist. Feel free to show her my picture. About 40 sutures.

 

 

 

Apologies for size of pic.

Wow!......Sorry to see your plight, but thanks for sharing....I will show her your pic and hope that does the trick.