Question:
Couple weeks ago I sustained my first sunburn of the season. After the
skin on my shoulders peeled, I found a bunch of red, itchy sores. On
Tuesday the doctor told me I had "pre-cancerous lesions," and treated
most of them with liquid nitrogen.
Anybody else have any experience with this stuff? What exactly does that
mean, "pre-cancerous lesions?" I'm pretty worried, having lost an aunt
and uncle to skin cancer. Looks like I'll be wearing SPF-50 on every
ride this summer...
Answer:
Most so-called skin lesions are benign and nothing to worry
about BUT malignant skin tumors (aka: Melanoma) is the very
most fatal and swift cancer commonly found. Yes, it is very
bad stuff because it spreads internally very quickly, usually
before it is discovered on the skin.
Your doctor should have told you himself what it means, because
it could mean a couple things, but most likely you now have a
condition that raises the possibility that subsequent lesions
will have a statistically higher potential for becoming cancer
(and remember that not all cancer becomes malignant.)
Bear in mind that it is usually a bad sunburn in one's _young_
years that has the highest statistical correlation with cancerous
skin lesions in adult life, however plenty of people get them
without sunburns.
Indications that you should worry are based first on preconditions.
a) do you have natural moles? If you do, are there many - are you
freckled with dark moles? b) what _shape_ are the moles? If they
are regular (round) then you are better off. If they are irregular
in shape, the potential for risk is much higher. The worst case:
extreme sunburn in your youth and your skin has lots of irregular
dark moles. c) is there a history of skin cancer in your family?
I know this is more than you wanted to know, and you should seek
a _professional_ opinion. Please.
Yea, cover up. If for no other reason, you don't want to
look like a redneck already.
Don't ask me how I know this stuff.
