How to have fun with your Skin Cancer

[shedobits]

I hope you all enjoy the weather in the UK and are taking advantage of the dry conditions to get out and ride.
Recently my riding buddie and I stopped for a coffee when we were met by two other cyclists whom we both knew. I should point out that we are all ahem 'men of a certain age'. All four of us had a melanoma story to tell,
It's worth recounting our exposure to UV, 1, A long term cyclist, mostly MTB. 2, An accomplished audix rider. 3, My companion was a surfer but now rides MTB's. 4, For myself I was a windsurfer in the early 80's until I discovered Mountain Biking. There was a lot of pi55 taking, especially of the rider who had to have most of one ear removed, (can you only ride in circles now) comes to mind?
This weekend I bumped into another cyclist that I knew and he is waiting for a hospital appointment to have something removed from an ear. That made five of us out of five.
Whilst we live and ride in Southern Spain the damage was done some 40 years ago in the UK, (none of yur foreign UV for us).
I really don't want to pi55 on any ones bonfire but can I suggest that you read the advice on the Cancer UK or the NHS sites, I wish that I had BITD.
I wrote more but when I reread it it came across as lecturing, so I deleted it and will stop now. Oh and enjoy the good weather whilst it lasts.

 

[hamster]

Hoping you are fully cured (from another cancer club member, although not skin).

 

[grantoury]

I love being out in the sun, cycling or hiking, but I never get sunburnt. Never really thought about it, but I have just been reading the information on this in my country. Good to be aware of the ins and outs. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Frankenorange]

I was having a discussion with the missus about this, some time ago. Pro cyclists spend a ridiculous amount of time, training and racing, and the tan lines speak for how long they spend in the sun. I can't ever remember any discussions about skin cancer or the 'slip, slap, and slop' guidance you might see at beaches.
These days there is plenty of talk about mental health and eating problems , but still nothing about skin cancer. Not that i am aware of anyway.

If i can remember i will put some sun cream on, here and there, but good grief have you go to use the right sort and be careful where you put it. You only use the thicker creamier stuff , and use it liberally, ONCE after you have had legs and arms covered in dying flies, fingers that slip off the brake levers and eyes you can't see out of!!

 

[shedobits]

50+ protection is the advice I've been given (by the doctors who are treating me).
I'll write more if there is any interest but the above two sites are your best source.

 

[Woz]

For years had skin problems. Can support heat, but direct sun I avoid like the plague. Worked three years in north africa and came back paler.

Mother who lives in Spain is currently going through skin cancer treatment. A victim of her time to look like a fashionable sizzled carrot. Have thrown many "sun creams / shields" in the bin because of false claims. The good stuff is actually not on super market shelves. Right now it's a heatwave - it really demands being a little active early morning, boarded up during the day, and out in the evening from 19:00 is the only way for me and many.

 

[The History Man]

I have my melanoma’bullet hole’. Wasn’t fun being told “if we don’t get it this time we give you a timescale…”

Luckily they did.

Spanish holidays in 70s. Sunburn etc.

Now I always hat sleeves trousers long. No choice. Was lucky.