ok, i just had a mole removed that came back with a pathology of melanoma. went back and had the 1cm “excavation” done and that came back clean. my question to anyone else that has experience with this is how have you adjusted your training? i’m 59, with fairly dark-complexion and have always spent a lot of time in the sun. any advice going forward would be appreciated.
I am 56 and had two sites with melanoma removed from my right forearm two years ago. I am somewhat fair skinned, blonde hair and blue eyes. Those three traits are commonly associated with melanoma. As far as training goes, I didn’t make any significant changes other than to start being more aggressive with sunblock. Like many our age, you and I were probably not so diligent in our younger years protecting ourselves from sun exposure. I can recall getting fairly significant sunburns several times in my teens and into my twenties. If only I had known then what I know now.
I now go to my doc every 3-4 months and do a fairly thorough self exam every few weeks. The scary part of my episode with melanoma was the speed at which it appeared and began to spread. From the time I first observed it (on the top of my forearm-not inconspicuous) until I was in the doc’s office was about 3-4 weeks. It had already gotten deep enough for a second excision of both sites since he didn’t go deep enough the first time.
Not sure if you carry life insurance or if you need it, but getting coverage could be a big problem for you now. My company didn’t renew my policy that expired about a year after the diagnosis. I didn’t try to renew with anyone else since the need for life insurance has diminished for me, so maybe it is easier than I am thinking.
FWIW,
Greg
Get regular exams going forward!
As for sunscreen - I’m still lax but use it for a long day in the sun. I run at lunch, no sunscreen but I do wear a hat. I figure most of the damage has been done.
On vacation - I wear a shirt and hat.
Did I say get regular exams!
I had a patch about 4 years ago. Had a full scan since my Dad died of it that year. My dermatologist removed it and now I go every 3 months, and nothing new since. I am much more diligent with sunblock and use it all they time.
I live at the Jersey Shore (well I did before Hurricane Sandy took my home away, still rebuilding like THOUSANDS of others)
When I go to the beach now I wear a shirt and use an umbrella.
Have not changed my training at all just lots of sunblock especially my hands and always wear bike gloves except for races.
Good Luck
First of all, glad your “excavation” came back clean.
I am 46 years old and had melanoma on my calf when I was 42. I had a wide local excission leaving a several inch scar on my leg. Fortunately, I am cancer free and have had no sign of any recurrence.
To address your specific question, the ways I have adjusted training are as follows: I apply sunblock and bring a small container to re-apply for any workouts longer than two hours. Also, I use the DeSoto skin cooler arm warmers or long sleeve skin cooler jerseys as an extra measure against the sun. Also, they make leg coolers, which I use. The added benefit is that on hot days, that stuff really helps to keep you cool.
Other than that, I did not alter training. Best of luck to you and I wish you good health in the future.
As for sunscreen - I’m still lax but use it for a long day in the sun.
Are you kidding me? All I have to do is go to a race and look at the skin of triathletes 10-15 years older than me and I am inspired to put on sunscreen every day.
It seems silly to put all of this work in to having a healthy body but have the skin of an 80 year old… when you are 50…
When I went through my excisions and biopsies a couple of years ago, my skin cancer specialist basically said stay out of the sun (especially during peak hours, which he defined as 9a-3p), but if you absolutely have to be out there, cover up as much as possible. I haven’t adjusted my training, but I’m certainly more conscious of covering up and/or putting on sunscreen regularly.
Hopefully you’ll be going for skin checks every 3-4 months for the next couple of years as well.
My mom has had melanoma (she’s ok now), and it killed one of my friends, when he was 31. I’m a red head, with fair skin, and fear of melanoma very nearly ended my triathlon career in 2012.
But… if you let it get to you, then it’s already won. It is possible to train smart, with regards to the sun. Wear as much clothing as is practical, and cover any exposed skin with a titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide, sunblock. Pay attention to the UV index in your area to see the times when it’s safest to train outside (this is a great site: http://www.uvawareness.com/uv-index/uv-forecasts.php). If the UV index at a given time is down around 2 or 3, then you probably don’t need to take any protective measures against the sun. But if it gets higher, then start adding some protection to your skin.
And remember - sunblock is good, but clothing is even better. Plus, I just look at the extra clothing that I wear during training as “bonus heat acclimation training”, haha! Stay vigilant about tracking moles, and melanoma can be a mostly preventable form of cancer.
Nothing new to add but I will ‘+1’ every other response on here. My diagnosis and resulting precautions are spot on with the rest of the folks here. I was diagnosed and had my procedures almost 3yrs ago now. It threw me for a loop at first and I went into a serious sun-avoidance period. I’ve moderated my behavior since then but I’m never without a hat while in the sun, I wear long sleeves on bike/run whenever it’s not too uncomfortable and always wear sunscreen while working out and racing.
One thing I did was to start riding with sun sleeves when I was riding in a UV risk period (any time after 9.30-10.00am). They are hotter than no sleeves but I prefer to not worry about my arms getting burnt. I also apply sunscreen to my bike before putting my jersey on, I’m really not sure how effective jerseys are at blocking UV. Some clothes have a SPF rating but I’ve found most don’t.
Unfortunately I got sunburnt way too many times in my 20’s. In the last 10 years (now 40) I’ve found that with work, family etc, I tend to do most of my training early morning or evening so it has naturally reduced my sun exposure.
One thing I did was to start riding with sun sleeves when I was riding in a UV risk period (any time after 9.30-10.00am). They are hotter than no sleeves but I prefer to not worry about my arms getting burnt.** I also apply sunscreen to my bike** before putting my jersey on, I’m really not sure how effective jerseys are at blocking UV. Some clothes have a SPF rating but I’ve found most don’t.
Unfortunately I got sunburnt way too many times in my 20’s. In the last 10 years (now 40) I’ve found that with work, family etc, I tend to do most of my training early morning or evening so it has naturally reduced my sun exposure.
I know what you were meaning … but it was too good to pass on…
Dave
One thing I did was to start riding with sun sleeves when I was riding in a UV risk period (any time after 9.30-10.00am). They are hotter than no sleeves but I prefer to not worry about my arms getting burnt.** I also apply sunscreen to my bike** before putting my jersey on, I’m really not sure how effective jerseys are at blocking UV. Some clothes have a SPF rating but I’ve found most don’t.
Unfortunately I got sunburnt way too many times in my 20’s. In the last 10 years (now 40) I’ve found that with work, family etc, I tend to do most of my training early morning or evening so it has naturally reduced my sun exposure.
I know what you were meaning … but it was too good to pass on…
Dave
Whoops! I apply sunscreen to my back and bike, don’t want my paint to fade!
I’ve had multiple moles removed in fear that they would become melanoma. A year ago this past October I had melanoma removed from my right arm. I see the MD every 3 months and try and cover up as much as possible. I sunscreen when at the beach but rarely when I’m training.
T
As for sunscreen - I’m still lax but use it for a long day in the sun.
Are you kidding me? All I have to do is go to a race and look at the skin of triathletes 10-15 years older than me and I am inspired to put on sunscreen every day.
It seems silly to put all of this work in to having a healthy body but have the skin of an 80 year old… when you are 50…
There’s no proof that chemical (non zinc) suncream even works - http://www.ewg.org/…-cancer-on-the-rise/. It may even make things worse.
The pinkness is avoided but the chemicals sizzling in the mid day sun are doing nasty things to the skin.
My brother in law is one of the leading melanoma specialists in the world, and as written in the above article, his advice is also not to rely on suncream, but to cover up.
There is no point putting suncream on and thinking you’re right to stay out in the sun all day.
A tri top like Tjorborn wore in Hawaii, or Vanhoenacker, would be a lot better than a singlet and reliance on suncream
As for sunscreen - I’m still lax but use it for a long day in the sun.
Are you kidding me? All I have to do is go to a race and look at the skin of triathletes 10-15 years older than me and I am inspired to put on sunscreen every day.
It seems silly to put all of this work in to having a healthy body but have the skin of an 80 year old… when you are 50…
When are you 50 - about 4 years ago! While I’ve had many cancers removed ( basal and squamous) and have a few small scars on my quad, shoulder, chest, and back, I got say I don’t look anywhere near 80 years old. I have fair skin and I would guess most people think I’m under 50.
While the sun can damage your skin, the benefits of a healthy lifestyle over the past 30 years far outweigh the risk of some skin cancer. Most of my skin cancer was probably caused when I was young at the Jersey shore, not from last weeks two hour bike ride. Heck, most guys my age are fat, out of shape, drink more, eat bad and are probably at at higher health risk than me. Not only have I not aged like the typical 54 year old, I feel great, having just completed my 15th Ironman.
Yeah, I wish they had better sunscreen back in the 60’s but driving around with two smoking parents in the old station wagon probably took a few years off my life expectancy as well. Times were different back then and unfortunately its caused some skin cancer issues today that I need to remain vigilant about.
Yeah, I’ll continue to use sunscreen, hats on my run, and wear a shirt when I’m on the beach but I’m not going to slow down or change much at this point. Now, I need to go get my motocross bike ready for this weekend, which seems to cause more health problems than some basal cells.
First of all, best of luck to you. Melanoma very curable if caught early. I had a thin melanoma removed from my face about four months ago. I’m taking the usual precautions including staying out of the sun during the peak UV hours, using sunscreen, and wearing hat/sleeves/pants whenever possible. Went shopping for UV protective clothing. Aside from a few specialty companies, found lots of UV protective general purpose clothes at REI. For triathlon, found that surfer rashguards work well. Many have UV protectant, and they have both loose fit and compression types to suit whatever your preference.
I’ve had four spots removed one being 1/2 of my eyelid and I’m in my early 40’s. Good plastic surgeon fixed me up and eyelid is barely noticeable. The only thing I have changed is being much more diligent about putting sunblock on. I get checked every 6 months or earlier if I notice something.
FYI not all clothing blocks UV rays so you still need to be careful when covered up.
Forgot to add that I found lots of options at a local scuba dive shop.
My wife is dermatologist. So i generally can’t leave the house even in winter without at least SPF 15 without getting a look.
But i’ve found there is some good stuff out there with micronized zinc that can last at least for a long ride and I only need to re-apply once. On race day for an ironman they lather it on after the swim and bike so there are no excuses.
As for timing my training during the days I haven’t adjusted my training times, but I do apply >60spf before all workouts outside.
Just spent 45 minutes getting my whole body once over from my doctor today. So far so good. I have had nothing but basal cell and one Squamous cell removed to this point. I spent a good deal of time in the sun as a kid living in Santa Monica, CA and hanging out at the beach all summer, and again as an adult XC skiing in winter and trail running in the mountains all summer (altitude). I Have also had psoriasis for 40 years. Some of the early treatments were UV light boxes and those suckers burned me badly a few times.
The way my diagnosis has effected my training is I now use a zinc oxide based sunscreen on my face and head, as well as the tops of my hands. I cover up with long sleeves on just about every long run during the daylight in the sun. The Desoto skin cooler fabric is ok, but a really prefer the Columbia Omni-Freeze line of sportswear, fits nice a loose, I am not so keen on the tight fit of the desoto stuff. - http://www.columbia.com/Omni-Freeze/Technology_Omni-Freeze,default,pg.html
Best of luck - Melanoma KILLS - take it seriously my friend.