Living

I’m no stranger to surgeries. I’m currently 6 weeks into recovery from a third surgery on my right arm. All three of these surgeries were from self-inflicted athletic injuries. I...

Like the rest of your skin, skin cancers are made up of cells. The difference between the cells of healthy skin and cancerous skin is in the genetic makeup, also...

Recently I wrote about going back to backyard yoga, and now I bring you farm yoga! But there's a twist - this fitness class actually turned into an opportunity for...

You might think that with all the knowledge out there about skin cancer that the rates are declining. Unfortunately, that’s not true. But why is it that skin cancer is...

Throughout my lifetime, trends and fads have come and gone. The eighties had great music, lots of good movies, and some interesting clothing choices. The music from that decade is...

Anytime the sun is shining, it’s also emitting UV radiation. However, it’s not a constant amount. There are a lot of factors that can quickly increase the UV intensity, putting...

Every six months, I have an appointment with my dermatologist for a full skin check. These appointments are typically in June and December. Overall, the June appointments have gone pretty...

You should always be aware of any changes in your skin. Skin cancer is best treated when caught early. While this may worry you, sometimes there are things that look...

I spent another long day photographing eagles and other wildlife at the bridge last weekend. It was really hot and humid and very buggy. Over and over I heard people...

I am a radiation therapist working in a dermatology office treating non-melanoma skin cancers with superficial radiation therapy. This statement no longer even seems unique to me. For many patients...

“So, why are we here today?” That one question launched my skin cancer advocacy mission. It wasn't asked by a family member or friend or even someone I had just...

The UV index is a scale from 1 to 11+ used to determine the intensity of the UV radiation emitted from the sun. Lower numbers represent lower levels of UV...

If you're not familiar with dysplastic nevus syndrome, you're not alone. It's also known as atypical mole syndrome (AMS) and was first brought to the attention of a doctor in...

While I was moderating the SkinCancer.net Facebook page recently, I noticed a question from one of our community members: "can basal cell carcinoma spread?" The question made me realize that...

Working as a superficial radiation therapist treating skin cancers, I have encountered so many interesting patients. But a few unique individuals have left such an impact that has forever changed...

As a tennis fanatic, I am so happy to see Wimbledon back in full swing after its cancellation last year. The venerable grass-court tournament – lawn tennis officially – is...

In March of 2007, I had my first skin cancer excision--the first of many procedures to remove cancerous lesions. Almost fourteen years later, a biopsy on my collar bone came...

Far too many people think that skin cancer is no big deal. After all, it’s "just" skin cancer, right? Those of us who have had skin cancer know this is...

Self-care has become an important thing lately, especially for our generation. There are a lot of different activities that can constitute self-care, and of course, they vary by individual. I...

I think I have a new least-favorite spot for skin cancer removal: squamous cell carcinoma on my nose. It’s the same spot where a big pimple appears during your teen...