Yesterday morning started off with a big bowl of oatmeal, apple, and dollop of Dark Chocolate Dreams peanut butter:
Sorry my peanut butter looks like poo
And some magazine reading:
aka a doctor’s visit. I am somewhat of a mess so I go to a few doctors annually just to check on things. Some doctors, like the dermatologist, I usually end up seeing twice a year. Thanks, freckles and pale skin.
I started going to the dermatologist as a kid to help kick some unwanted pimples to the curb. Then when my grandfather was diagnosed with melanoma, I started stripping down head to toe annually so that each and every freckle, mole, bump, etc could be measured, photographed, and occasionally, chopped off. Today the lucky body parts were my upper arm and upper back. Fingers crossed that in about a week I get a letter in the mail with fancy medical words that mean “you’re fine” instead of the “we’re going to have to cut you up some more” phone call.
I know most of you are bundled up in several layers of clothing and skin cancer is a million miles from your mind but I decided to take a few minutes to share some skin facts anyway:
1. If you have skin, you can have skin cancer. Sure, if you are a lucky blonde, haired, blue-eyed Irish girl like me you are a walking skin cancer bulls-eye but I know plenty of people that are naturally dark with barely any freckles that have had skin cancer.
2. It’s the burn from 10 years ago that you should be worried about. I am a sunscreen addict. I layer it up. I don’t go outside for extended amounts of time during ‘burn hours’ (11am-3pm). BUT the burns from when I was 10 years old and a brat and didn’t want to reapply sunscreen at my friend’s pool party are the reasons I am now sliced and diced by the lovely Dr. Inglese. So even if you aren’t in the sun a lot recently, get checked.
3. Do self skin checks. Just like you check the ladies for lumps, pay attention to freckles, moles etc for change. And remember your ABCDs
- Asymmetrical spots
- Bleeding
- Change
- Different from surrounding moles/freckles
4. Don’t go to tanning beds. Just don’t. They are worse than laying on the beach. There are MILLIONS of studies out there proving they are cancer cookers. Grab some Jergen’s self tanning lotion, get a spray tan or embrace your inner Nicole Kidman.
“Pale is the new sexy” quote from my doctor
5. Wear sunscreen. Every day. There are millions of daily mosturizers with built in sunscreen. My Lancome foundation is SPF 15 and my Oil of Olay moisturizer is SPF 15. Before every run I like to use Lubriderm 15 for my legs/arm/chest/whatever is exposed. Runners have enough risks as it is, skin cancer does not need to be one of them.
6. Things not even related to the sun can increase your risk for skin cancer. The one that shocked me the most? Taking birth control.
Ok, I think that is enough PSA for today. Wait, I lied, watch this video, too.
Now I’m done.
Do you go to a dermatologist?
What is your favorite sunscreen?
Chelsea @ LittleOneRuns
/ February 8, 2013i don’t but would like to, and think that everybody should!! cancer is pretty serious, especially since we all have the gene, it’s just waiting to be triggered!
i love banana boat!! always applying that before my outdoor runs.
Runner Girl Eats
/ February 9, 2013It’s a great habit to get into. I don’t even think about putting it on anymore, its just a part of my morning routine.
Nicole (@KidlessKronicle)
/ February 8, 2013I have been to the derm and checked out, but this particular dr made me feel like it was a waste of her time. I didn’t appreciate that. DH has to go every 6 months and has had some things removed.
The Kidless Kronicles
Runner Girl Eats
/ February 9, 2013What an awful dr! hopefully you can find one you feel more comfortable with.
pickyrunner
/ February 8, 2013I’m a lifeguard at a beach so I have that little dilemma to add to the mix. I’m in the sun 40-50 hours a week all summer. Lovely. Usually it’s pretty cold up in the chairs from the wind so I’m bundled up enough that you can’t see me. Usually. I do try to be relatively cautious with sunscreen, although I’ll admit I’m not as good about it as I should be.
Runner Girl Eats
/ February 9, 2013At least you stay covered up a good bit. Down here I have most of my skin exposed alllll year.
Her Happy Balance
/ February 8, 2013Really like this post. I used to go tanning a little while back because I just can’t stand my pasty pale skin. I’ve had people ask me if I was ill and offer me food to eat…to which I just reply that I’m naturally pale and not ill, super frustrating! I haven’t ever seen a dermatologist, but I try to keep up on doing self checks. my favorite sunscreen is Australian Gold. You can buy it with bronzer in it so I look less blindingly white at the beach.
Runner Girl Eats
/ February 9, 2013I like the sunscreens with the built in self tanners too. I get comments about my paleness every now and then but I just keep thinking how I wont be cut up and wrinkly in my 40s and I feel much better about it!
Emily
/ February 8, 2013My step-mom was diagnosed with melanoma a few years ago. Since then, I have been gung-ho on skin protection! I love Nivea products, so that’s what I use to block the scary sun. I grew up farming so all of my summers were spent outside sans sunscreen. I’m doing what I can now to take care of myself. Not only are you more likely to get skin cancer, but age spots and wrinkles, which no one really wants. Right?
Runner Girl Eats
/ February 9, 2013Exactly! I look at people just 5 years older than me that tan all the time and they look at least 10-15 years older than they are.
Alex @ Cookie Dough Katzen
/ February 8, 2013Eek I’m glad you shared this. I have freckles and light skin too. This is terrible but I’ve never been to a dermatologist and I definitely need to! Good luck with your results! I will be making an appointment stat!
Runner Girl Eats
/ February 9, 2013It’s such an easy appointment and soooo beneficial for us pale people
Running In Heels
/ February 8, 2013Love this post!! So important to remember!
Runner Girl Eats
/ February 9, 2013Thanks! So many people never think about it but its def important.
Amanda
/ February 8, 2013Definitely love this post. I’m also incredibly pale and have a lot of freckles. No one in my family has had skin cancer issues, but I went to a dermatologist a while back and she said I was a target for it. This was a great reminder for me to find a good dermatologist and get checked out.
Runner Girl Eats
/ February 9, 2013I def recommend finding a dr you like. I have seen a few over the years but love my current doctor. He is so thorough.
kelseyruns
/ February 8, 2013Definitely loved this post! People don’t realize that skin cancer can effect everyone! Hope you get that letter and not a call! I’m a big fan of Aveeno sunscreen, its light and doesn’t have that sunscreen smell!
Runner Girl Eats
/ February 9, 2013I use the aveeno on my face when I am going to be outside for awhile too. It is soooo light!
alltidrun
/ February 8, 2013I think you’ve just successfully guilted me into scheduling my first ever dermatologist appointment.
Runner Girl Eats
/ February 9, 2013Do it! It is so quick and easy but def worth it.
Rachel @ Undercover Diva: A Sitcom
/ February 8, 2013I didn’t realize that birth control makes you more susceptible! I have never been to a dermatologist, but my university had a free skin-cancer clinic where a dermatologist came in and I got all of my moles of concern checked out. I used to never wear sunscreen, but I’m very diligent about it now.
Runner Girl Eats
/ February 9, 2013Thats so cool that they had a skin cancer clinic! I was shocked when I heard that BC pills could play any role in skin cancer. I def pay attention to studies showing links between the two.
uglyrunnerfeet
/ February 8, 2013Yes, yes, and YES! I was one of those that tanned as a kid and ended up w/ skin cancer in my 30′s. I’ve got the big ol’ facial scar now to prove it and I harass all my friends to go to the derm. I see mine quarterly for now because I’m still less than five years out.
I hope your biopsies come back clear!
Runner Girl Eats
/ February 9, 2013I hope everything going well with your follow ups. I am always attacking my friends for tanning and telling them to see a derm. Skin cancer is one of the easiest cancers to catch becuase it is right out in the open! People just need to be diligent about getting checked and staying out of the sun.
debrunsfit
/ March 9, 2013I see my dermatologist twice a year for check-ups, and then usually two other times for the removal of something he just found. I just saw my doctor on Thursday, and then wrote about it on my blog that night. It’s something we have think about when we participate in a sport that keeps us out in the sun for long periods of time!
We need to keep spreading the word!
Runner Girl Eats
/ March 10, 2013So many people ignore it but its sooooo important! Also a very easy habit to get into.