Anyone have skin cancer before?

Sure, no problem. 1) Disbelief. While I was very fair skinned, I'd always tried to stay out of the sun and never really tanned. I was only 28. 2) Emotions haven't been too bad. I knew I had an easily treatable form, but I do worry about recurrence and also that it makes me possibly susceptible to getting other kinds of cancers. 3) I had looked up internet pictures of skin cancer and was pretty certain that's what I had when I saw the doctor. Also, my grandmother had skin cancer so I expected it to happen some day. 4) There should definitely be more education on skin cancer. I want to scream when I here people touting tanning beds as "safer". 5) I watched a spot change, did internet research, made an appointment with a dermatologist. 6) Just to make sure to get re-examined every 6 months once your treatment is complete. 7) Genetics. I'm extremely fair skinned and there is a history of skin cancer in my family. I did have a couple of severe burns as a child, but always tried to take care of my skin when I got into my teens. 8) I just try to educate all of my friends of the importance of protecting their skin and getting suspicious spots checked out. 9) The reconstruction was actually the worst part. The treatment was straight-forward, just had a Mohs procedure to remove it. I needed a skin graft for reconstruction and had appointments and procedures for months to get the graft to lay flat (on my face). 10) I did think I'd get it some day but I was very surprised to get it as young as I did (28 years old). In case you need to know, I had nodular basal cell carcinoma in my inner canthus.

Sure, no problem. 1) Disbelief. While I was very fair skinned, I'd always tried to stay out of the sun and never really tanned. I was only 28. 2) Emotions haven't been too bad. I knew I had an easily treatable form, but I do worry about recurrence and also that it makes me possibly susceptible to getting other kinds of cancers. 3) I had looked up internet pictures of skin cancer and was pretty certain that's what I had when I saw the doctor. Also, my grandmother had skin cancer so I expected it to happen some day. 4) There should definitely be more education on skin cancer. I want to scream when I here people touting tanning beds as "safer". 5) I watched a spot change, did internet research, made an appointment with a dermatologist. 6) Just to make sure to get re-examined every 6 months once your treatment is complete. 7) Genetics. I'm extremely fair skinned and there is a history of skin cancer in my family. I did have a couple of severe burns as a child, but always tried to take care of my skin when I got into my teens. 8) I just try to educate all of my friends of the importance of protecting their skin and getting suspicious spots checked out. 9) The reconstruction was actually the worst part. The treatment was straight-forward, just had a Mohs procedure to remove it. I needed a skin graft for reconstruction and had appointments and procedures for months to get the graft to lay flat (on my face). 10) I did think I'd get it some day but I was very surprised to get it as young as I did (28 years old). In case you need to know, I had nodular basal cell carcinoma in my inner canthus.

I don't know the history of skin cancer but people did not always sunbathe! It is only really in the twentieth century this has happened and then more in the latter part than the early. Prior to that people did not have much leisure time and a suntan was seen as evidence of belonging to the lower classes. The upper class did not work outdoors and when out in sun wore hats and parasols and kept covered. The last thing they wanted was a tan because that signified being a worker.

1) I wasn't surprised as I lived a pretty sunny lifestyle (spend many summers/vacations in Mexico and Florida, tanned 3 times a day during my college years, etc) 2) The most emotional aspect I am experiencing is overcoming the scars that I am suffering as a result of removing the lesions. I'll have numerous 3" and longer scars all over. 3) I was very aware (in the last 5 years) of the dangers and effects of tanning - but I chose to ignore that. 4) The messages are out there. I've heard them. I'm even quite vain and I KNOW sunblock is the best defense against wrinkles but my counter to that was Botox so I feel that people know of the dangers of the sun and tanning booths, they just have to listen. 5) I pointed out a few questionable spots to my doctor and she referred me to a Derm to diagnosis. 6) Well, I've been giving a little advise to the young people that work at my tanning salon (I now use the spray tan only). Especially the young girl who said she only tans once a week but that she goes 3 times in that one day. 7) My tanning in college (stated above). 8) I've just been diagnosed and am heading to my second treatment later today. I haven't been much inspiration as of yet. 9) Too early in diagnose/treatment to tell. 10) I didn't really think it would affect me since I am south Mediterranean decent, darker skin tone, dark hair so I was suprised a little but since I am well read about the dangers and I still enjoyed the sun and tanning beds quite often, I believe in the back of my mind, I always knew it would get me eventually.