Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

The SPF code is very misunderstood. It is the same protection regardless of number. The number only implies the time it is good for. SPF-30 means you must re-apply every 30 minutes. Getting a higher SPF does not mean more protection. Get a digital watch with an alarm and apply when you are suppose to.

Dead WRONG except for the "very misunderstood" part....Read below..... There are plenty of other places to read but this explains it well

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen

here is a small excerpt from above:

SPF Sun Protection Factor

The sun protection factor of a sunscreen is a laboratory measure of the effectiveness of sunscreen ? the higher the SPF, the more protection a sunscreen offers against UV-B (the ultraviolet radiation that causes sunburn)[2].

The SPF is the amount of UV radiation required to cause sunburn on skin with the sunscreen on, relative to the amount required without the sunscreen.[9] There is a popular misconception that SPF relates to time of solar exposure. For example, many consumers believe that, if they normally get sunburn in one hour, then an SPF 15 sunscreen allows them to stay in the sun 15 hours (i.e., 15 times longer) without getting sunburn. This is not true because SPF is not directly related to time of solar exposure but to amount of solar exposure. Although solar energy amount is related to solar exposure time, there are other factors that impact the amount of solar energy, like the time of day. This is because, during early morning and late afternoon, the sun's radiation must pass through more of the Earth's atmosphere before it gets to you.............................

Read the link above... MUCH more good info

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

Are you serious???... I've had bigger hurties than that on my nu-nu!!!

Perhaps you should donate your boat to a charity (me) and become a nocturnal for the rest of your life?

You would prolly die if you saw my fine chestnut tan that I keep 9 months out of the year.

By far one of the most ignorant comments I have seen on the forum this year.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

thajeffski,How old is that blemish?I have one just like it above my ankle and its gettin bigger.Randy

Seriously, get to a dermatologist this week, just keep calling till you can find one that has a free appointment. Mine had been there my whole life, but I just felt like it was getting bigger.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

By far one of the most ignorant comments I have seen on the forum this year.

+1 on that one. I have to see the surgeon for the third time next month.

 

[V153]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

I dunno if I'd rush out'n sell the boat right away. But I would wear long pants & a long sleeve shirt with a collar & a wide brimmed hat. And I'd slather sunscreen on anything left uncovered?

Fwiw skin cancer is big business down here and some doctors are better than others. The less sophisticated ones will dig alot wider'n deeper than necessarily needed. "Just to make sure they got it all ..." Shop around.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

That looks familiar. Rox had that done a little lower on her leg a couple years ago. Did they biopsy the lymph nodes too? Hope it all works out for you as it has for us.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

X2. You were right both times. And no amount of humor can change the status of the remark.

I have had 2 removed, haven't changed my life style, but I do monitor the "moles" and "birth" marks that I have.

 

[flamingo1227]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

I'm sorry that this happened to you. I also have the same problem and have learned to boat in a different manner. I stay in the shade as much as possible. We upgraded our boat from a bowrider to a cruiser. The best sunscreen has zinc in it. It has come a long way since the white cream on lifeguard's. I purchase mine from the dermatologist and even though it is expensive, it is worth it. I did not have one sunburn last year. You just learn to do things differently. I move around the boat to shade, reapply the sunscreen more then necessary and sometimes have to miss out on activities because of the sun.

Check into the zinc sunscreen, you will not regret it. Best of luck and skin cancer is serious and should be taken as such. Everyone should have yearly body checks.

 

[98Shabah]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

I'm with ya. 2 years ago (at 32) I had a basal cell on my forehead that left a hole the size of a half dollar, a plastic surgeon did a nice job of fixing that for me, then early this year I had a squamous cell on my back that left me with a scar about 4" long. I am on dermatologist appointments about every 3 months. The Dr told me that this is all from damage done when I was younger, sunburns as a kid (when sunscreens sucked), and all those burns from my teenage lifeguarding years. I've been told "just don't get burnt!", but I'll be back every couple years for the rest of my life to get things cut off me even if I hide in a basement and never have the sun upon my skin again. Some sun is actually a good thing for us, too much is a very bad thing.. A fine line for my pale freckled skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes.

I totally understand your dilemma. I've got multiple hats I keep in the boat, I'll probably never take my tshirt off outside again, I have a 6' bimini on the boat, and I reapply sunscreen every couple hours.. This year we'll be buying a 10x10 sun canopy for the beach as well so I can be out in the middle of the day with my wife and kids.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

Dang, Jeff, that really stinks. I hope you make a full recovery.

And I just noticed this morning that a mole on my collarbone has a black spot on it. Going to make an appointment with the dermatologist in the morning.

 

[mommicked]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

Thanks Thajeffski, my mole is the same shape and color,darker one one side,and bigger.I've had it 5+ yrs. and am gettining it checked asap.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

hope ya get well soon....

someone already mentioned a different style boat... that might not be a bad idea. the boat in my sig is a sliding hardtop. one thing i've noted after having it for a few years. i don't get near as sun tanned as i did before. likely because i have to work to get out into the sun because of the hardtop.
here's a link to some for sale... http://boat.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/boat.cgi?cat=boa&itm=aristocraft&fil= probably not the type boat ya have or had in mind. but they do keep the sun off. there are other mfgs that had hardtops too. most from the 60's and 70's though. if ya got some bread and can find one... a scimitar would be very nice..http://121648.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=121648&p=3&topicID=36697388&page=0

 

[fullofquestions]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

my sister inlaw died of melanoma mestatisized all through her when they found it don'screw around with it if you insis on being outside, Cabelas & Bass pro can turn you on to some clothing that will block sunlightGET YOU BUTT TO THE DERMATOLOGIST being manly just makes you dead and it ain't a pretty way to go Listen to the DOC good luck & my prayers are with you

 

[fullofquestions]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

for those of you that don't know there are 3 types of skin cancer, Melanoma is fast deadly incurable if it mestastisizes and one of the deadliest of all cancers most of the time if they finf melanoma it's too late GET TO THE DOCTOR YESTERDAY the other 2 are slow curable and seldom spread to other bodily functions basil cell cancer and squamous cell again melanoma is nothing to put off for a minute.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

I'm sitting here this morning with my face, arms and shoulers looking like a ripe tomato from sitting in sun all day yesterday on the boat. Shame on me for not putting on sun block a wearing a hat. Thats scary. Hope you get well soon

 

[hostage]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

The sun likes to ambush you. You might take all the precautions, but when you are not paying attention and do something wrong, it will attack yah. Every year, my g/f gets a bad sunburn. She always forgets to put sunscreen somewhere. I wear a stupid looking fishing hat and wear sun screen when I am out doing yard work or on the boat. Even as cautious as I can be, I can still get burned. As cautious as you can be, it is still a matter of when.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

Just wanted to wish the OP the very best in the future. I cannot pretend to know what it is like to be in that position, since I have never been there. Did go through a different cancer issue with the admiral and she has fully recovered but you simply just never know. Whatever you decide to do, I am sure you will make the right decision for YOU based upon consulting with the MDs, but most of all based upon you consulting with your family and friends. Best to you and your family in the future.

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

You all are scaring me. I Easily burn and I'm not careful like I should be. I will from now on.

Take care.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

I've got a basil cell spot on my shoulder from years of abuse. My doc is treating it with a topical cream called Fluorouracil that I applied for three weeks. It's supposed to kill fast growing cells and not hurt regular skin. It's gone from a bright red spot the size of a dime to a purplish scappy spot in the past week. From reading up on it, it's 90% effective so we decided to give it a run rather than cut a golfball out of my already bad shoulder. Hope it works!

 

[gstanton]

Re: Need more sun protection on the boat... had a melanoma. 2003 Bayliner 195BR

OK, I've tried to keep quiet, but here it is. In 2007 I had a malignant mole removed from my back. Surgeon said there was a 30% chance of re-occurance. Last Dec. I had a small lump biopsied and the melanoma has returned. At this point, I have approx. 20 lumps (tumors) scattered throughout my chest, neck and scalp. Can't do much of any kind of work... 1 1/2 -2 hours is all I can take. I'm in a clinical study group that is testing a pill that I have to take every 12 hours. It seems to be holding it's own, but the end result is obvious to me.
At night I have to P about every two hours, a nerve is being pinched causing my right hand ring and middle fingers to be numb - all the time. It ain't a lot of fun, and I finally realize the we are all mortal! Still go out on the boat, now with a full bimini, but have to be careful to not overextend. For example, fishing is difficult with two fingers numb!!