Natural Born Redhead

By BAFoster

2 min read

I have been reading some of the stories here and decided to add my own. I am a 57 year old female born with red hair and fair skin. I live in Southern California. My younger years were spent in the sun, at the beach. I don’t really remember if we even used sunscreen at that time. I do remember coming home from the beach bright red! Within a day or two I would have blisters. I was around six years old and couldn’t even lay down because I was so burnt.

We moved to the high desert area in Southern CA and I continued to be out in the sun all day long. Skin cancer was never talked about like it is today. I should have been a “poster child” for sunscreen. I have scars from my sunburns.

Diagnosed with skin cancer

I had melanoma at age 41. Didn’t even know I had it. I went to the doctor for a sore on my upper back that wouldn’t heal. The sore ended up being a basal cell but, once they saw the other spot I was having a biopsy within days. The oncologist I saw was very good at explaining everything I went through. They took 7” out of my back along with a sentinel lymph node biopsy. I remember that being extremely painful. Since then I have had squamous cell carcinoma removed from my face, various basal cell carcinomas removed and numerous “spots” frozen.

A lot of people look at me and say “It’s just skin cancer” without realizing what I have been through. I have done the chemical peals numerous times. The pain and mental stress that comes with skin cancer is not recognized as a big deal. I think all of us survivors should speak up! Our voices need to be heard. I have thought of trying to be an advocate for sun safety but, don’t know where to start. People need to be aware of the dangers from the sun. It’s only going to get worse with global warming. More exposure to the sun means more people will end up with skin cancer. It’s a real problem!

Thank you for letting me share my story. Be safe everyone. Wear hats, coverup, and use sunscreen religiously!

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The SkinCancer.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Ronni Gordon Member
<inline-mention username="BAFoster" user-id="4552351"/> Thank you for sharing your story. It must be tough to be a redhead in SoCal. Though not a redhead, I too have fair skin and remember those burns like it was yesterday. I thought it was so much fun when the skin peeled off. Little did we know. A friend got so burned that my mom put her in a bathtub full of tea bags. (Not sure if that helped!) Now I have had more spots frozen and more squamous cell carcinomas, removed by Mohs surgery, than I can count. We all know that it's not "just" skin cancer. With people like you sharing their story, hopefully more people will get the idea. – Take care, Ronni (Skincancer.net team member)
Elizabeth Member
Agreed! I am an advocate when I’m out wearing all of my UPF gear and someone compliments me on a shirt or gloves (I get lots of compliments on my sun shawls), opportunity knocks and I get to talk about skin cancer and it’s prevention. At the pool, in my long pants and long sleeved UPG swimwear, kids will ask how come I have so many clothes on, I love being able to ask them about sun protection. Go for it, join right in, there are lots of little opportunities for advocacy! Liz
1. April Pulliam Member
 <inline-mention username="Elizabeth" user-id="4124717"/> Love this! Advocate at every opportunity! You are making a difference! April, <a href='http://SkinCancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a>, Moderator 
2. Ashley Maddox Member
 <inline-mention username="Elizabeth" user-id="4124717"/> I absolutely agree! You have the right idea. There are lots of opportunities to be an advocate.
slygo2003 Member
<inline-mention username="BAFoster" user-id="4552351"/>..I grew up in the 80s as a fair skinned redhead who just had to be tan. We didn’t think or really know about long term effects. I was in Ireland a few weeks ago and noticed signs about skin protection. We need more here in the US. And more advocates! 
1. Julie.Byers Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="slygo2003" user-id="2103338"/> I agree! I think more signage and awareness around skin protection is definitely needed. I was so happy when one of my favorite Peloton instructors reminded everyone to wear their sunscreen and visit their derm during one of her classes. Every reminder and advocate makes a difference <3. I hope you are doing well. -Julie (team member)
Bluebyrd Member
Thank you for sharing your story! The more we know about each other, the less alone we feel.
1. April Pulliam Member
 <inline-mention username="Bluebyrd" user-id="4500152"/> ...agreed! Hope you are doing well! April, <a href='http://SkinCancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a>, Moderator
Ashley Maddox Member
Thanks for sharing your story! I agree that that it’s common in our society to hear people make light of skin cancer. There is nothing light about what you have been through. Hang in there!
billyjk Member
<inline-mention username="BAFoster" user-id="4552351"/> I am not a red head, but my experience is similar to yours as skin cancer has been a part of my life for a very long time. As of this year, I now have the dubious honor of being able to say that I've now had the big three - Basal Cell, Squamous Cell, and Melanoma - that last one showing up for the first time this year. It's so important to share your story as it genuinely helps all of us that are in the same boat. Thanks for doing this!

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