Skin Cancer?

Question:

Okay. I'm really nervous about my dad. He's a construction worker and is out in the blistering heat all the time. He doesn't usually wear sunscreen. He has all these brown spots on his skin (shoulders) and has a sore on the tip of his ear that has never healed. I'm afraid that all of this exposure has maybe made skin cancer a possibility. Any advice on how I can keep my dad healthy and safe??

Symptoms:

Scaly skin
Sunspots
Sores that don't heal
Red skin
A sore or spot that bleeds or become crusty

HELP!!

Answers:
Even if he didn't have any symptoms on skin cancer (which he seems to), it'd be a good idea for him to regularly see a dermatologist every six months. People who spend that much time in the sun or have other high risks for skin cancer (such as fair skin and family and personal history) should visit a dermatologist for a skin cancer screening every six months. Ideally, every person should go at least once a year, regardless of their risk factors.

Get your dad to a dermatologist soon, please!

Many people get little skin cancers that are not melanoma. He should have a physician look over him to see if there is anything that should be removed. He also should be sure to check on any sore that does not heal.

Does he cover up with any clothes or hat? That can help reduce the burning and damage of the skin. If he will cover up, the sun can not directly damage the skin. There are farmers who have become deficient in vitamin D that comes from the sun, because they cover up and use a hat.

I think he should check with the physician about his current status, especially the sores that will not heal. After a decision is made regarding his current health, then he may be more willing to be careful with his skin in the future.

I am a dieititian counselaor at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Orlando, and understand that we need some sun for the vitamin D, but we can damage the sun too much.

Good luck.

Tell him that you want him around for you and your children! And that he won't be unless he goes to the dermatologist for treatment for those sores!! STRESS that he has to immediately--IF HE LOVES YOU AND HIS FAMILY!!

Skin Cancer?

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