Efudex: Treating Your Chest...Efudex is a topical chemotherapy used to treat actinic keratosis. The cream, also known as fluorouracil, works to rid the skin of precancerous cells your physician deems suspect. It is...reactions12comments
Melanoma: It's More Than Just a Wacky Mole...I remember when I was first diagnosed with melanoma back in 1988. I saw a dermatologist at the recommendation of a nurse that I had met at a pool party...reactionscomments
Tumor Humor: Coping With Cancer With a (Twisted) Sense of Humor...I recently joined Stupid Cancer’s Digital Cancer Con and got to participate in some very excellent sessions for young adults with cancer. One of my personal favorites was a session...reactionscomments
Battleships...I had a BCC removed approximately 2 years ago from my right shoulder. Then, not by design, I did not see my dermatologist until the end of May that just...reactions2comments
How Not to Pack for a Vacation in Warm Climates...As usual, I overpacked. And on top of that, I didn’t choose well for my trip to California, where it was much warmer. Let’s start with necklines. I need to...reactionscomments
Celebrating Good News...Sixteen. That is my estimate of how many skin checks I have had with a dermatologist over the last five years. And at almost every single one of those appointments...reactions9comments
Why Tanning Culture Needs to Change...Healthy glow vs. you look sick. Sun-kissed skin vs. are you a vampire? The list goes on when it comes to the ways people describe someone with a tan vs...reactionscomments
Getting to the Dermatologist Can Be a Real Pain...Sometimes getting to the dermatologist’s office is just as much of a challenge as dealing with skin cancer. That’s because all of my dermatologists (yes I have more than one)...reactions1comment
Sunscreen: It's Not Always Easy...Change is never easy. Whether you are making the move to a new city, beginning a new job, or starting a new phase in your life, change can be a...reactionscomments
Are My Coworkers Really Competing for the Best Tan?...I walked into the conference room at work a few months ago and noticed that two of my coworkers sitting around the table were quite tan. They had both been...reactionscomments
Understanding UV Protection During UV Awareness Month...Summer is here, the weather is warming up even in the most northern parts, and the solstice has just passed, giving us longer days and sun-light evenings. Along with the...reactions1comment
Efudex: Um, When Am I Done?...Prescriptions are straightforward and by-the-book. Your doctor or pharmacist provides a quick explanation of how much and how often to take it and may offer up advice on the best...reactions24comments
Childhood Trauma and Skin Cancer...Warning: May contain triggers for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. It was the fall of 1983. I had just put on my fly blue suit and red tie. I was...reactions3comments
Worse Than I Thought...I'm a transplant recipient for almost 19 years so I go to the dermatologist on a regular basis. Went in November 2019, did a full body scan, and I was...reactions2comments
5 Things My Cancer Taught Me...“A woman is like a teabag - you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” – Eleanor Roosevelt Those five things include: It’s so...reactionscomments
Embarrassed About My Face and Telling People Not to Look at It...In the past few days when going places, I have said to people, “Don’t look at my face.” This is admittedly strange because when I say it, I’m looking right...reactionscomments
Has anyone had any experience having a squamous cell carcinoma removed from their nose?...I have just been diagnosed with quite a large one on the tip of my nose and just don’t know what to expect....reactions8replies
COVID-19 Updates, July 16: Updates on People at Risk, Testing, Reopening, and a Vaccine...Even after months of navigating life in the COVID-19 era, keeping up with new information and news can be overwhelming. Below are some of the latest developments surrounding COVID-19 for...reactionscomments
Caution Roadwork Ahead: Bring Sunscreen...You are making good time (whatever good time is) and then you see it from a distance. Red lights backed up for miles. Roadwork ahead, now you are making not...reactionscomments
Protection at the Beach...Traveling with kids is always interesting. Planning a trip with friends is hectic but fun. Vacationing with skin cancer - that’s just a headache. Don’t get me wrong. Taking summer...reactionscomments