03-31-2015, 03:11 PM
[#0000FF]Excellent topic. Should be repeated several times a year.
As a young athlete/angler/diver/surfer/sun worshiper in southern California I exposed my tender skin to extremes of sun exposure. I looked good but had no idea how much damage I was adding to my account for later years. But Mama Nature sends frequent updates on my bill...like every year when I make my visits to my dermatologist.
Considering the abuse I subjected myself to in earlier years I have gotten off pretty lucky. A few precancerous zaps and a couple of thin tissue slices for analysis...all benign.
But many of my friends and family members from the same era have not been so lucky. Lots of loss of body tissue and some close calls.
One of my California friends and fishing buddies moved to Alaska to run a guide service on the Kenai River. I was supposed to go spend some time with him one year and had some excuse why I didn't go. Never saw him alive again. He developed galloping melanoma on his sun-scaly ears and died right after that season was over. I had not heard anything until I talked to another guide from the Kenai at our spring sportsmans' show and he told me.
I have been pretty conscientious about using sun screen and other sun protection for quite a few years. But after hearing about the fast and nasty passing of Gary "Big Dog" Lindstrom you can bet I never leave home without it.
Along with the sunscreen for the exposed body parts we also need to apply sun protection lip balm. Lots of facial cancers start with sunburned lips.
Another consideration...recently discussed on this board...is the use of good sun protection for the eyes. Even though I have always used sunglasses for all outdoor activities...and driving...I still developed small cataracts in both eyes and had lens replacements.
It is great that we have the modern diagnostic techniques and medical treatments we have today. But it is much better to prevent or forestall them with proper precautions. And, no matter how old we are we need to have regular checkups. But only if we want to live longer.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]
As a young athlete/angler/diver/surfer/sun worshiper in southern California I exposed my tender skin to extremes of sun exposure. I looked good but had no idea how much damage I was adding to my account for later years. But Mama Nature sends frequent updates on my bill...like every year when I make my visits to my dermatologist.
Considering the abuse I subjected myself to in earlier years I have gotten off pretty lucky. A few precancerous zaps and a couple of thin tissue slices for analysis...all benign.
But many of my friends and family members from the same era have not been so lucky. Lots of loss of body tissue and some close calls.
One of my California friends and fishing buddies moved to Alaska to run a guide service on the Kenai River. I was supposed to go spend some time with him one year and had some excuse why I didn't go. Never saw him alive again. He developed galloping melanoma on his sun-scaly ears and died right after that season was over. I had not heard anything until I talked to another guide from the Kenai at our spring sportsmans' show and he told me.
I have been pretty conscientious about using sun screen and other sun protection for quite a few years. But after hearing about the fast and nasty passing of Gary "Big Dog" Lindstrom you can bet I never leave home without it.
Along with the sunscreen for the exposed body parts we also need to apply sun protection lip balm. Lots of facial cancers start with sunburned lips.
Another consideration...recently discussed on this board...is the use of good sun protection for the eyes. Even though I have always used sunglasses for all outdoor activities...and driving...I still developed small cataracts in both eyes and had lens replacements.
It is great that we have the modern diagnostic techniques and medical treatments we have today. But it is much better to prevent or forestall them with proper precautions. And, no matter how old we are we need to have regular checkups. But only if we want to live longer.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]