PSA for the day
Following my week in the sun (actually, five days of clouds and interim rain, and only two days or so of consistent sunshine), I visited my dermatologist's office this morning. I hadn't been in about four years or so, but I felt a little irritated that I was no longer in their computer system -- "You must already be on microfilm," the receptionist told me. The last time I was there was for a mysterious red spot on my nose that just as mysteriously disappeared about six months later. (It was diagnosed as a Spider Angiomata, although my Googling of that term turns up a lot of associations with cirrhosis of the liver, which I don't have. Anyway.)
But back I went today, not because of a spot, or because of the disgusting pimples that popped up during my vacation -- probably a combination of pool water, ocean water, tons of sunscreen, and hot, muggy weather -- but for an overall check because, a couple months ago, my sister had a melanoma removed. My sister is obsessive about covering up in the sun and slopping on the sunscreen -- she's even pastier than I am -- so her dermatologist said that we likely have a genetic predisposition, and that all of us oughta get checked out, just to be safe.
So I scheduled my appointment with the physician assistant, whose schedule was much more open than the M.D.'s, and I absolutely loved her. She explained everything she was doing; she asked how my sister’s doing (just fine, by the way – all clear at her follow-up appointment); she gave me a list of the best sunscreens to use, including some that aren’t approved in the U.S. but are available over the internet; she told me to make sure my dentist, gynecologist and even my hairdresser all know about our family history so they can be on alert for anything suspicious.
I got a clean bill of health, although I need to go back every six months or so. I have a couple of spots that I need to keep an eye on, so they took some photos so they can track whether they’re growing or changing.
So here’s my PSA: Go get checked, just in case. And, as Baz Luhrmann’s voice reminded me incessantly in 1999, Always wear sunscreen (preferably with an ingredient called Helioplex, I’m told).
But back I went today, not because of a spot, or because of the disgusting pimples that popped up during my vacation -- probably a combination of pool water, ocean water, tons of sunscreen, and hot, muggy weather -- but for an overall check because, a couple months ago, my sister had a melanoma removed. My sister is obsessive about covering up in the sun and slopping on the sunscreen -- she's even pastier than I am -- so her dermatologist said that we likely have a genetic predisposition, and that all of us oughta get checked out, just to be safe.
So I scheduled my appointment with the physician assistant, whose schedule was much more open than the M.D.'s, and I absolutely loved her. She explained everything she was doing; she asked how my sister’s doing (just fine, by the way – all clear at her follow-up appointment); she gave me a list of the best sunscreens to use, including some that aren’t approved in the U.S. but are available over the internet; she told me to make sure my dentist, gynecologist and even my hairdresser all know about our family history so they can be on alert for anything suspicious.
I got a clean bill of health, although I need to go back every six months or so. I have a couple of spots that I need to keep an eye on, so they took some photos so they can track whether they’re growing or changing.
So here’s my PSA: Go get checked, just in case. And, as Baz Luhrmann’s voice reminded me incessantly in 1999, Always wear sunscreen (preferably with an ingredient called Helioplex, I’m told).
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