Rocking, Rolling and Appreciating Life
- Poison frontman and skin-cancer survivor Bret Michaels recently told fans to appreciate the journey of life. He announced he would undergo treatment for skin cancer in January 2020.
- One of the best ways to protect yourself from the sun, and skin cancer, is to regularly apply sunscreen. Wearing at least SPF 30 sunscreen and making sure to reapply every two hours or after excessive sweating or swimming is one way to help prevent skin cancer.
- No matter how vigilant you are about decreasing your risk for skin cancer, its important to still prioritize routine checkups with your dermatologist and always be on the lookout for any skin changes in between visits.
The Every Rose Has Its Thorn singer announced he would undergo treatment for skin cancer in January 2020. He didn't disclose what type of skin cancer he had or how serious his diagnosis was, but he assured fans that he was being treated by "incredible specialists who are both positive for great results."
Read More“Ran with these wild horses this morning, remembering that it’s all about the journey,” he wrote under a picture of him on a sandy beach near some horses. “The pot of gold isn’t at the end, but in how we get there. I learned early on, after we achieved our first platinum record & played our first stadium at the #CottonBowl, that it was the journey that was that pot of gold. I realized quickly, after hitting the milestones on our first independent record, that the reward was the road taken, not the destination.”View this post on Instagram
And despite health scares, the rockstar has a lot to be thankful for. He was inducted into the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame with his Poison bandmates last year, and he’s continued to entertain crowds since the 1980s.
“And all these years later, to still be playing at all the arenas, amphitheaters, stadiums, casinos, clubs – wherever the journey takes me – I’m still grateful & still loving every minute of it, every day of every challenge. Let’s rock🤘”
Understanding Skin Cancer
The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that over 5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year, making it the most common cancer in the United States.
In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Dendy Engelman from MDCS Dermatology in New York shared the top five things you can do to avoid skin cancer:
- Avoid sun during peak hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect the tops of our heads, the tops of our ears and the delicate area around the eye.
Wear at least SPF 30 sunscreen and make sure to reapply every two hours or after excessive sweating or swimming. - Have yearly skin checks (with a professional) because it's difficult to evaluate areas all over the body.
- Avoid tanning beds. There are no "good" tanning beds, and they can significantly increase your risk of melanoma.
Top 5 Ways to Protect Your Skin From Skin Cancer
No matter how vigilant you are about decreasing your risk for skin cancer, its important to still prioritize routine checkups with your dermatologist and always be on the lookout for any skin changes in between visits.
The Importance of Sunscreen
One of the best ways to protect yourself from the sun, and skin cancer, is to regularly apply sunscreen. Many people commit to using sunscreen every day, but it's important to note that choosing the right product can be just as important as consistency.
Dr. Cecilia Larocca, a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, recommends you use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapply it every two hours. Your sunscreen should also be broad spectrum, says Dr. Larocca, meaning it covers both UVB and UVA rays.
Choose the Right Sunscreen and Use it Often
Manhattan dermatologist Dr. Snehal Amin tells SurvivorNet that while brand name is not very important, considering the activities you'll be doing while wearing the sunscreen and paying attention to the ingredients and feel of the sunscreen can make a difference.
"My recommendation is really focus on the ingredients rather than the brands," Dr. Amin says. "If you like the way the brand feels on your skin, if you like the purpose of the brand for instance, sport versus daily use or daytime use versus a short burst of activity use I think those are more important factors than actual brands."
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