You’re in luck — your skin cancer was caught early and you've completed treatment. That said, you’re not completely off the hook: With any type of skin cancer, you will have to spend the rest of your life carefully looking after your skin. But you don’t have to live your entire life indoors.
"Once you have been diagnosed with one type of skin cancer your risk for developing any type of skin cancer goes up, but that doesn't mean you need to give up an active, outdoor life. You just need to be smart about it," says Emily J. Fisher, MD, a dermatologist at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass.
"Many people live a long and healthy life after being diagnosed and treated for skin cancer,” agrees Valencia Thomas, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at University of Texas Medical School in Houston. “It’s important to understand that these types of cancer are largely treatable, and the vast majority are not life-threatening.”
Basal cell cancer and squamous cell skin cancer are easily treatable if they are diagnosed early. Melanoma, although more serious, has an almost 100 percent, five-year survival rate if it is treated before it spreads to lymph nodes.
Tips for Being Active Outdoors With Skin Cancer
Anyone who has been diagnosed with melanoma, basal cell, or squamous cell skin cancer must educate himself about skin cancer and see his doctor for a skin cancer exam at least once every six months. In between visits, life can go on as before."You can still go on vacation, golf, or play tennis,” says Dr. Fisher.
But it’s still important to follow these sun protection rules:
- Use sunscreen or sunblock. Fisher says that the most common mistake people make about sunscreen is not using enough. "You want to use a sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, and to use one that protects you against both UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays. You should be putting on at least one ounce every time you apply," she says. It’s also important to reapply sunscreen every two hours when you are in the sun and every time you get out of the water, even when using "water resistant" sunscreens.
- Use protective clothing. Don’t rely too much on clothing for protection — in general, clothing only has an SPF of 4, and wet clothing has virtually none. However, you can also purchase specially made clothing with built-in SPF from select manufacturers. What is especially beneficial is a hat — not like a baseball cap, but a wide-brimmed hat that covers the tops of your ears and the back of your neck. Tightly-knit, loose cotton clothing gives the best protection. And don't forget your sunglasses.
- Avoid peak sunlight. Try to stay indoors between 10 am and 2 or 3 pm. If you have to be outside, stay in the shade, says Thomas. Remember that up to 80 percent of the sun's rays go through cloud cover and about one foot of surface water. Sunlight also reflects back from snow, sand, and water.
- If you must get a tan, use a self-tanning lotion. Surveys show that most people think they look better with a tan. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that if you must tan, you should use a self-tanning lotion — never use a tanning bed. And if you do use a self-tanning lotion, remember that you still need to use sunscreen when you're outdoors.
- Don't smoke. "Smoking doubles your risk of squamous cell skin cancer," says Fisher, especially cancer of the lips.
Skin cancers are not to be taken lightly, but they are very treatable when caught early. Most people are able to continue with their active, outdoor lifestyles. "You don't need to completely change your outdoor lifestyle or your vacation destination, but you do need to take precautions against future skin cancer,” says Fisher.