Articles

During the monthlong gap between summer school and the regular school year, I put a lot of effort into doing very little. In fact, I spent so much time relaxing...

When you hear the word “radiation,” you might think of a big, scary machine that delivers large doses of radioactive energy. Or you have heard about severe side effects like...

After getting news of a serious illness like cancer, you will likely turn to family and friends for support. Here are some things to think about before you share your...

In the summer of 1988, I was attending a pool party at my then-girlfriend’s house in Whitter, California. As I was lounging in the jacuzzi, one of the neighbors (who...

As I sit down to write about why you shouldn’t pick at your skin or peel it after photodynamic therapy, or PDT, I realize that I am picking at my...

Using social media means sometimes getting unwanted advice. But what do you do when people want to dictate your skin cancer journey? After a few medical issues, including skin cancer...

Subcutaneous oncology treatment involves giving cancer-fighting drugs under the skin. This treatment method uses a small needle to inject medicine into the fatty tissue between the skin and muscles. It...

Guillermo del Toro has a fascinating series called Cabinet of Curiosities. Within its short run of 8 episodes, there exists a character called The Lotion Woman. The main character of...

I remember when I was first diagnosed with melanoma in June 1988. There were not many treatment options offered to me. Basically the only thing that I discussed with my...

I’ve had skin cancer and skin cancer surgery twice. Because of this, I have one kind of large scar under one eye, and a smaller scar below the other. Does...

Time to brush up on your Greek mythology, which, believe it or not, will tie into skin cancer treatment and prevention. Do you remember Sisyphus? The king of Ephyra (Corinth)...

Sometimes, I just want to assign blame. Oh, I know it’s not a particularly helpful thing to do. But, there are times when I want someone or something to take...

Recently, I was in a group on social media where someone asked about tanning while on a certain medication. Along with myself, a couple of people mentioned the dangers of...

Each of us has a different skin cancer story, and for this reason, skin protection following a skin cancer diagnosis is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. For me, skin cancer has...

Father’s Day is a big day for me now. It has turned into a gift giving day. It hasn’t always been this way, but lately as my children have gotten...

I don’t go to the beach as much as I used to and I used to go a lot. I was literally born across the street from Newport Beach and spent...

We’ve heard time and time again how dangerous it is with indoor tanning. But what are the facts about indoor tanning and skin cancer? Is it really that bad? Here...

Warning: possible unpopular opinions ahead. That may be a little dramatic, but it’s true. I have never been a fan of sequels because they are never better than the original...

We’ve all heard the often-quoted saying, “Time heals all wounds.” But, does time heal all of our skin cancer wounds? I was first diagnosed with skin cancer in June 2018...

If you’re like me, you hate going to the doctor. But skin cancer screenings are important, especially if you have had it in the past, have a family history of...