Skin Cancer: Dealing Day-to-Day

Reviewed By:
Martin E. Liebling, M.D., FACP

You can reduce your risk of skin cancer with a few relatively simple steps each day. If you have already been diagnosed, you have many options to help you handle life with the disease. While everyone develops their own way of dealing with cancer, there are specific steps you can take to lessen the difficulties you will face while living with the disease.

1. Learn the signs of the disease
   Skin cancer is highly curable if it is detected early. To improve your odds of detecting the disease in its early stages, you should learn the types of skin changes that skin cancer can cause. In addition to having regularly scheduled skin exams performed by your doctor, you should perform occasional self-exams. You can ask your doctor how to correctly perform these exams and how often you should do them.
   
   Any suspicious changes in the skin should be immediately reported to your doctor. Although the possibility of cancer is frightening, you should not avoid seeing your doctor. Remember, the sooner your cancer is detected, the greater your chance for survival.
   
   
2. Take steps to prevent the disease
   Unlike many other forms of cancer, you can take steps to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. Make an effort every day to avoid sun exposure. Protecting yourself is as easy as applying sunscreen and putting on a wide-brimmed hat. These steps are even more important for those who have been diagnosed with the disease. Once you have developed skin cancer, you are at a greater risk of developing the condition again.
   
   Just like direct sunlight, snow (as well as sand and water) can reflect the UV rays of the sun and lead to sunburn and permanent damage of the skin. As a result, you should take steps to protect yourself year-round, not just during the summer.
   
   Also remember that the damaging effects of the sun can be more dramatic at higher elevations where there are few or no clouds or haze to filter the sunlight.
   
   
3. Learn as much as possible about the disease
   It is important for you to educate yourself about your condition. By learning about the disease, you will feel empowered and have a better understanding of your diagnosis. It can also help you make the best decisions regarding your treatment. Numerous books, journals and web sites contain reliable and up-to-date information on skin cancer. Ask your doctor to recommend some resources.
   
   
4. Freely discuss all questions and concerns with your doctor
   Being diagnosed with skin cancer can bring on a range of emotions, from fear to anger. You may be able to calm some of these emotions by asking your doctor questions and openly discussing your concerns. Your doctor is there to provide support and answers before, during and after treatment. It may be helpful to write down your questions and bring the list with you to your appointments.
   
   
5. Look to your friends and family for support
   Don't bottle up all of your feelings and concerns, which can lead to isolation and depression. Instead, discuss them with your family and friends. Let them know your hopes and fears so that they can help you deal with them. This will reduce your stress and might even strengthen some of your relationships. Coworkers, teachers and religious leaders are also good sources of support.
   
   In addition, don't be ashamed to accept help from others. Accept their offers, especially when you are feeling weak as the result of treatment. You may not always be up to doing chores around the house or cooking dinner. Allowing people to help you will make everyone feel better.
   
   
6. Join a support group
   Surrounding yourself with people who know what you are going through can be very beneficial. Support groups allow you to hear and share in the experiences of people who are going through, or have gone through, a battle with skin cancer. Group members can provide support, encouragement and answers to your questions. Many cancer centers, hospitals and medical centers host support groups for their patients. You can also find support services from a number of national organizations. There are also a number of Web sites that offer message boards where people can meet and support each other from the comfort of their own homes.
   
   
7. Learn some relaxation techniques
   Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, can reduce your stress level. You can ask your doctor for some relaxation tips, or you can refer to books on the subject. Exercise is also a good way to relieve your stress. However, ask your doctor about exercise before you get started. He or she may want to limit the kind of exercise you do or the amount of time you spend doing it.
   
   
8. Learn to live for the future
   It is important for you not to focus on whether your cancer will spread or whether it will return after treatment. Instead, you should focus on the events you want to live for, such as vacations, career goals or your child's graduation. Remember that staying positive is not only healthier for you emotionally, but it also can also benefit your treatment.