Running with a Basel cell carcinoma

[davelinks]

I have a skin lesion on the side of my hooter (nose) which won't heal up and go away, biopsied, and turns out it's a cancer, only a mild one caused by the Sun's UV rays. It doesn't look much at the moment, but if left it can eventually cause a lot of damage, so needs removal. I will be having a special micro surgery called MOHS and may need reconstruction surgery, as it's gone a bit deep, but there's a waiting time for the special surgery so not having it done until the end of Feb next year.

Of course, I won't let it stop me going outside and running, just need to take extra precautions using sun cream and cap.

When I showed my skin specialist my running cap I use for Sun protection, she said very good but I'd like to see you wearing a hat with a brim all around so it covers your neck & shoulders as well, to which I replied, yes, I understand that but it's not practical when out running, and she said, that's the same problem for golfers as well.

Anyway, I'm very aware I need to use sunscreen and cover up if out for any great length of time..which I do! I wonder if there's anyone else on here with the same problem? it seems there's a lot of this going on, so please take care when out there and use the appropriate protection...

And no! I haven't gone to such extremes to get a nose job done for free on the NHS!😁

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Good luck with your treatment! I’m not sure I’d wear a fully brimmed hat to run in but I would invest in a good waterproof sun screen. Anyway I’m sure summer is nearly over - we’ve had more than our usual share!

[davelinks Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

I have all the nessacary gear thanks Tasha.. protection needs to be maintained all year round not just in the Summer, UV rays are also about on cloudy days to...

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Very true! I get so frustrated when people aren’t careful. People don’t think of the consequences when they could be years and years away. Good luck to you and keep running 🏃🏻‍♂️👌🏽

[davelinks Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

My damage probably occured years ago when on continental holidays and got slightly sunburned..

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Yes there is a lot of this going on. I have three friends who've each had cancerous lumps removed from their faces in the last year. One of them is a runner and he keeps running but applying a 50+ SPF sun cream every time he goes out. He's had several removed from his face, including one from the side of his nose, and gets checked regularly.

You wouldn't notice the mark on his nose at all now.

Sorry you've got to go through this Dave but keep to the shade, high factor sun cream and keep running 🏃🏃🏃

[davelinks Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP, I've had a a few removed from the temples in the past but they've been benign keritosis, my older brother gets them to. Probably stems from past continental holidays we've had. He was a sun worshipper more than me, laying on the beach a lot, not anymore though.. yes, keep on running!😊

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

I’m sorry about your diagnosis, a long wait for treatment but at least you are on the list. In the RFC household we are hot on sunscreen because after transplant MrRfc’s medication makes him more susceptible. I always remember a poster a few years ago had some cancer removed from his ear, so remember put the cream over the tops of you ear too.

[davelinks Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Thanks for that RFC, I was using a mens factor 15 moistureiser when I'd be out, but skin specialist said for me I should be using a factor 50, so now I don't quibble and use the 50 all the time on my face and the ears and behind the ears, I'm fed up with having these things removed, but the one's in the past have just been benign keritosis.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Got little one one of those caps with the long cloth back a few years ago... don’t remember seeing them in adult sizes though.

Good that you’ll be ok, obviously if you can wait until February they’re not too worried. It’s a post that I will take to heart, I never wear sunscreen, but it’s now gonna be part of my pre-run routine.

All the best with it all... and happy running.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

There are quite a few out there with high protection level too

[davelinks Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you! I have one of those caps with the long cloth back, in denim, but not been inclined or keen to wear it on runs thinking it would be too warm and look like Peter O'Toole in Lawrence of Arabia!😁 but I'll dig it out and have a look at it, thanks for the heads up..

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Well... Arabia is hotter than here I believe!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Hi Dave... this is not great news, but at least you know what is what!

Lots of caps with neck protection out there..

Saloman XA+ CAP... but no shoulder protection.. won't your t shirt cover your shoulders though..? Although that needs to have sun protection too..

salomon.com/uk/product/xa--...

Some links here too maybe..

runnerclick.com/best-sun-pr...

This things do not come cheaply.. and there are some costing a lot more.. what price safety, eh..x Take care my friend

[davelinks Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks floss, I have a number of caps with upf50 protection and long peak and one with the neck protection, I have been reminded and will dig it out, last used it in Corsica about 15 years ago, bit warm on a run though I think, being denim and I usually use suncream on any exposed neck and shoulders.😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to davelinks]

The Salomon one looks cooler.. I may go for that myself Just take care of you xx

[davelinks Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I've just taken out a Runners World magazine subscription which offers a free high spec Ceili running cap, worth £37 in the Sept edition, so another to add to the collection!😁

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Bargain

I..on the other hand have just been to Lidl.... lots of Thursday running bargains there xx

[davelinks Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I'm only about a 3 min walk from Lidl, will pop in and have a look..😊

[davelinks Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Yes, looks cool! I'll get one..😊

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Legionnaire's is the term you need when searching for headwear to cover the neck.

A couple of years ago I watched as a much larger hole had to be cut out of my mother's face than would have been the case had she been to the GP when I first... and second... and third.... suggested she should. Goodness knows when it would have been picked up if I'd said nothing at all. It took quite a bit of work to get her face back together but I am pleased to say they got it all and if you didn't know, you wouldn't guess now. (And my mother is no sun worshipper either)

[davelinks Graduate]

Thanks, my wound will be about the size of a 5p piece, probably need a small skin graft, but I've seen the damage these things can do if left..I'm not a big sun worshipper either, just been caught by the Sun occasionally while on past holidays.. probably not enough suncream applied properly, and covering up, now I know better..