Articles

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...

Researchers believe that nicotinamide, (also referred to as niacinamide and niacin), a form of vitamin B3, could have a protective effect on the skin, possibly reducing the risk for melanoma...

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...