This Happy Gardener Is Now Sun-Shy

Skin cancer is becoming more and more prevalent. You DO NOT want to be diagnosed with any type of cancer, not even a spot of basal cell carcinoma ... trust me. None of us can afford to neglect to protect ourselves when we venture out into the sun. And none of use can ever think "it won't happen to me".
I can say this as I speak from experience.

I found out in December 2007 that a little tiny bump on my face was basal cell carcinoma (BCC). I had no idea! I decided to go to the dermatologist to have it removed along with a few other tiny skin growths. (I was tired of seeing them on my face ... getting more wrinkles is bad enough!)

The dermatologist took one look at it and said "Hmmm ... looks like skin cancer to me." My eyes about popped out of my head and I think I grabbed my chest. I said "WHAT??!!" And it was a whirlwind of emotions after that moment.

I chose to investigate my medical options and to investigate plastic surgeons. I ended up via my internet researching with a skin cancer specialist. I had the surgery December 31st, 2007. It was not a pleasant experience, to say the least. But I'm OK. The surgeon said he "got it all".

But fortunately, BCC is a cancer that has an extremely low rate of metastasis, and although it can result in scars or disfigurement, it is not usually life threatening. I was very fortunate because I caught mine in time.

For what it is worth, I had been aware of a very small "bump" on my face for about 5 months and really thought nothing much about it, as it really and truly wasn't too unusual. I thought "oh well, just another little bump on my face." Boy, was I wrong. It wasn't bleeding, nor dark or very rough in appearance ... nothing in the beginning sent up any warning signals to me.

But after a few months, something inside of me (thank God) started saying "this isn't quite right". And I decided to go to the dermatologist and have it looked at. Of course I'm glad I did.

The Sun's Rays Can Also Cause
Two Other Forms of Skin Cancer

The sun's rays can also cause squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This is the second most common form of skin cancer, with over 250,000 new cases per year estimated in the United States. This form can be more life threatening than BCC.

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. However, if it is recognized and treated early, it is nearly 100 percent curable. But if it is not, the cancer can advance and spread to other parts of the body, where it becomes hard to treat and can be fatal.

So ... Please, Please, Please fellow gardeners and crafters ... please, please, please protect your skin with sunscreens that have high SPF levels. Wear a hat with a wide brim. Don't forget to protect exposed skin on other parts of your body as well!

Though I am not in the habit of sharing with the world my personal trials and tribulations, in this situation I felt it too important not to share my experience. The doctor told me the skin cancer was most likely caused from years previously, not necessarily from exposure this summer. So unfortunately, not protecting oneself in years previously can possibly cause problems now.

So once again I have to say that you must protect yourself starting now. The damage doesn't necessarily show up right away.

To read more about skin cancers, and how to protect yourself while you are gardening or possibly making a hypertufa or concrete project outdoors, please read this article:
The Skin Cancer Foundation:  Sun Safety Strategies