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Stage 1 melanoma

claire31
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Hi,  Ive just been diagnosed with Stage 1 melanoma, obviously very emotional and find it hard to come to terms with but its been removed.  Im having a caribbean holiday later in the year and now dont know when to sit in the sun if at all! im going to be swimming with dolphins and now dont know what to wear!  I know you can become paranoid but I still want to enjoy my holiday. Can I wear a bikini in the shade or long sleeves all the way!....

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    Hi Clair Even at this time of year the UV index in the Carribean is 10 -12. As a rough guide when its 12 it takes 12 minutes to produce skin reddening in the average white British person. At UV index 6 it is 24 minutes. So stay out of mid day sun 11.00 till 3:00 if you can, use loads of factor 50 suncream like 50ml every 2 hours for your whole body. works out around 5 yes 5 X 250ml of suncream for 10 day holiday. You can get burned in the water so its waterproof sunscreen and or a T shirt for your dolphin swim. Enjoy your holiday, do everything you want just dont get burnt. Kim
  • Offline in reply to kimchoson

    Hi kim

     

    Thanks for your reply.  5 bottles! Wow.   But  i definitely dont want to get burned.  My boyf is thinking maybe we should postpone it.   Claire

  • Hi Claire,

    Thank you for posting a question. Our moderators wondered if we could provide any information that might be helpful.

    When you have been diagnosed with melanoma, it is important to take extra care in the sun. The area where the melanoma was should not be exposed to strong sun at all. Protecting yourself from the sun doesn’t mean that you can no longer enjoy sunshine. But you’ll need to take extra precautions which are explained here.

    Our standard advice about sunscreens is to use one that is in date with an SPF of at least 15 and a high UVA star rating. The main thing is to apply it properly which is explained at this link. So keeping in the shade and covered up is seen as being the most effective defence. Swimming is fine as long as you remember to apply sunscreen immediately after coming out of the water and cover up.

    I hope this reply has been useful .We are evaluating the nurse service at the moment so it would be really helpful if you could complete the short survey https://survey.cancerresearchuk.org/askthenurses.aspx

    Best wishes

    Celene

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