Living

It’s comforting to have an “Efudex buddy” who knows what I go through when I apply the chemotherapy cream to my skin. Sometimes, though skin cancer is no laughing matter...

I’m not sure what makes worry spike and then subside. It could be something I say to myself, or a few words that someone says to me, or just a...

Melanoma gives me anxiety. In my worst moments, when I am stressed by other things or when I am tired, it really taxes me. I know that people have it...

Once upon a time, there was a young girl who liked the burn--she craved it, in fact. This same young girl believed with the whole of her heart that her...

After years of being divorced and single, and going on many bad dates, I finally met a nice guy. He’s tall, intelligent, funny, and kind, he likes my dog, he’s...

There’s no doubt that many of us think of pets as members of our family. Did you realize that your pet can get skin cancer, just like the other members...

One of the first steps in managing your skin cancer is assembling the best healthcare team for you. Having the support of friends, family, and significant others can be beneficial...

It’s March 1, 2019. My friend died of cancer…again. This is not the first time, nor the second. In the midst of my grief, I make a mental count of...

I’ve had skin cancer for so long that it’s become a way of life for me. Every day I catch myself doing a skin check for anything new or suspicious...

In 2017, my dad was diagnosed with melanoma on his shoulder. I remember that my parents told me casually, but my heart started racing. My hunch is their desire to...

Last week, we defined and described the importance of self-care, and gave some examples of how you can practice it in your daily life. While some tasks are easier than...

Nothing says “cool” like a great pair of shades. In Southern California, where I grew up, picking out a good pair of sunglasses was almost a religious ritual. For many...

One of my daily medications puts me at greater risk for skin cancer, and another is supposed to decrease my risk. The one decreasing my risk makes sense, but the...

Self-care has been an ever-evolving concept in our world for decades. Originally, the World Health Organization defined self-care in the 1980’s as “activities individuals, families and communities undertake with the...

A comment I hear frequently from people newly diagnosed with skin cancer is that they’re worried they’ll never be able to be in the sun again. And that seems to...

The feeling when I head to the dermatologist is usually a level below apprehension but above mere curiosity. What will she find this time? There’s always something, even if it’s...

It’s here again! Spring came! Along with it came the burning desire (no pun intended) to seek out the sun’s rays while enjoying time at the beach, backyard barbeques, and...

Spring is upon us. I live in Buffalo, NY, where everyone packs nearly every outdoor activity into just a few of the warm months. Whether it be fishing, ballgames, festivals...

Go to your local pharmacy and pick up a bottle of sunscreen. Do you have your secret decoder ring? Do you have a translator? Do you have a doctorate in...

Yes, you can still wear the sunscreen you have in your cabinet. In fact, you SHOULD still wear the sunscreen you have in your cabinet. Wearing sunscreen is an important...