Living

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...

We recently shared Erin's video about tanning pressures on Facebook. She discusses being called names, tanning to fit in, and finally breaking away and embracing her natural skin tone. The...

Sigh...it does get discouraging at times. When I read about another person with melanoma or a friend has it, or when I find a weird mole and have to see...

Ever look at yourself in the mirror and think your face doesn’t look so great? Or look down at areas of your skin with discolorations or scars or other irregularities...

In this series, we discuss causes of anxiety for those facing physical illness like skin cancer and its side effects. Phrases in quotes are the words of our community members...

Compassion fatigue is defined as “a state of exhaustion and dysfunction – biologically, psychologically, and socially – as a result of prolonged exposure to compassion stress.” Having melanoma is stressful...

If you’ve ever been too hard on yourself, you’re not alone. When it comes to skin cancer, this can manifest as, “I shouldn’t have spent so much time in the...

Childhood is a time of questioning, discovery, and learning. The years from birth to young adulthood are filled with limitless curiosities, and each and every day brings a new situation...

Efudex users are as diverse as the side effects produced by this powerful topical chemotherapy. From twenty-somethings to men and women in their sixties, Efudex is being prescribed across the...

We are women of a certain age. We are not playing tennis for the big bucks. Yet some players get particular about the height of the net. One friend actually...

Our parents and grandparents stormed the beaches of Normandy and helped put a man on the moon. Our brothers remember when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. Our sisters helped...

I’ve said this before, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be saying it again. Listen up, friends, because this is important for you to know:  you are your own best advocate...

Did you know that people who smoke have a higher chance of dying from melanoma? Many of us know that quitting smoking can help us to be healthier, but it’s...

After each of Tom Brady’s six Super Bowl wins, people ask how the 41-year-old New England Patriots quarterback does it. His health regimen gets scrutinized, and with that, some dubious...

“Magic mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” asked that creepy queen in Snow White. The mirror had a disappointing answer for the queen. If I were...