Being outside in the sun after being diagnosed? Do you avoid the sun at all costs? Or not take any p

CovidCancer
CovidCancer Member Posts: 13
edited June 2020 in General Cancer
My doctor has said that we need to be careful and use a little sunscreen, and then in another appointment he said that I needed to avoid it all together. What do you do?

Comments

  • cllinda
    cllinda Member Posts: 153
    edited June 2020
    My doctor just said to be careful in the sun. Wear a high number spf sunscreen, like over 50, and Wear a hat. Especially the first year after treatments. Your body goes through a lot and you need to take care of you. Also, some medicine can make you burn more than normal. Just be super careful, use sunscreens even on cloudy days and you should be fine. Hugs.
  • BobsProstate
    BobsProstate Member Posts: 56
    edited May 2020
    I was told the same, to just be aware of wearing a hat, put on sunscreen, avoid the hot direct sun when possible. I have a big wide hat that I wear outside now.
  • LiveWithCancer
    LiveWithCancer Member Posts: 470
    edited May 2020
    I was never told to avoid the sun and I did not. My doctor was well aware that I was outside a lot as I ran agility with my dogs ... and he often asked how we were doing.
  • GregP_WN
    GregP_WN Member Posts: 742
    edited May 2020
    11 years ago I was told that too, stay out of the sun. But I'm in the landscaping business so that's not possible. I have tried to wear a hat and sunscreen though.
  • legaljen1969
    legaljen1969 Member Posts: 763
    edited May 2020
    I was told to be careful and use sunscreen.
  • legaljen1969
    legaljen1969 Member Posts: 763
    edited May 2020
    It's hot as heck here anyway so I try to stay out of the heat. I am relatively fair skinned so I always use sunblock/sunscreen.
  • Dianem
    Dianem Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2020
    I was always cautioned to use sunscreen, at least 30. And I’m definitely a sun person, so this was a big change. Now, I’m reading that 20 minutes of unfiltered sun a day is a good source of vitamin d which is important. Go figure!
  • Kp2018
    Kp2018 Member Posts: 105
    edited May 2020
    Some types of chemotherapy, like anthracyclines, cause over sensitivity to sunlight. I was advised to cover up any areas of skin exposed while outdoors while I was on adriamycin (an anthracycline). Being covered had the added benefit of protecting me from insect bites.
  • centered1
    centered1 Member Posts: 23
    edited June 2020
    I've had 4 cancers in a 6 year period...one of them was malignant melanoma. My doctor told me to cover up while in the sun. I also take a vitamin d supplement.