r/skincancer

I’m interested in hearing from people about how they deal with outdoor situations after their diagnosis. I’ve had five basal cell diagnoses and I’m a redhead. I spent my entire life outdoors and now I feel like I’m paying the price.
I’ve noticed that when I Google information about dealing with skin cancer and then being invited on beach vacations that the general information I see just says the same thing over and over: stay out of the sun between 10 and 4, wear sunscreen and UV protective clothing, and stay in the shade.

PRACTICALLY however, when you’re on a vacation with a group of people, I feel like this means you’re sitting inside the apartment while they are out on expeditions. And like yes, I can sit huddled in the shade with all of my clothing between 10 and 4 in a tent, but to be honest that’s not really fun either.
I’ve seen people say things “I don’t let my diagnosis dictate my life.” and maybe I’m just feeling sad and sorry for myself but- it’s just not the same. I guess I should get more into other outdoor hobbies like hiking in the rainforest or something.
So my question is, I guess how do other people deal with this. Do you just adapt and make the best of it or do you pivot and give up trying to mitigate everything at the beach?

I have invasive BCC on my nose. I’m anxious about the outcome of the procedure. Even with insurance I can’t afford skin graft or reconstruction. I think I will look like Walter Goggins in Fall out. I can’t tell my husband how anxious I am or he will freak out. So thank you for this community. ❤️

Hi! I got my diagnosis recently and didn’t think it was too big of a deal until I got an idea of the cosmetic aspect. My spot is nodular BCC on the tip of my nose and I’m only 28 and very pale so now starting to get pretty worried about scarring. My surgeon pretty much told me to see a plastic surgeon which I am going to do. I’m wondering if anyone has any advice. How much should I “shop around”? How do I even do that? Has anyone been in the same boat being young and having it on such a noticeable part of the face? How did it go? All of the before and afters I’ve seen have been on older patients so I’m just trying to get a sense of what to expect to prepare myself. Thanks in advance!

Sensations, sounds, smells? Were you lying down, did you just shut your eyes tight to avoid seeing anything or are your eyes covered with a drape? Do they talk you through it? How long is the actual cutting part?

I'm a very anxious person, especially when it comes to medical stuff. I'm scheduled to have two separate moh's surgeries, one on my nostril and another on my forehead. I need to know what to expect so I can stop imagining the unimaginable, please.

Hi, I have a carcinoma that touches my upperlip. Mohs surgery is planned at the end of August.

I know the procedure could take all day.

Does anyone know from experience if I will be able/allowed to eat something?

The clinic says there will be sandwiches for lunch, but should I bring something liquid and a straw or just eat a huge breakfast?

I don't really know what to expect. Thanks for any tips!

Elisabeth

I posted twice about my ongoing skin cancers from too much sun exposure. Ive had 16 surgeries for skin cancer. I have fished the high country 8 to 10 thousand feet for the last 33 years. I started taking niacinamide after reading several studies on how it may reduce skin cancer by 25 percent for high-risk people..thats me. The whole family has had skin cancers..aunts uncles cousins siblings parents..I just had my 6 month check up hoping the niacinamide worked.

Well apparently not...4 biopsies...suspected basil cells cancers.. I've had 12 squamous and 4 basil cells so far, so maybe the basil cells are trying to catch up.

Hello everyone,

Welcome to our weekly thread for sharing photos of concerning moles, spots, or lesions. If you're worried about something on your skin, this is a place to share it with the community for support and to see if others have had similar experiences.

When posting a photo, please try to include:

• Where the lesion is on your body.
• How long you've had it.
• Any changes you've noticed (size, shape, color, itching, bleeding).

---

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

No one on this subreddit can provide a medical diagnosis. The comments and feedback you receive are from laypeople sharing their own experiences, not from medical professionals. Online photos are not a substitute for an in-person examination by a qualified dermatologist.

If you are concerned about any spot on your skin, the only correct course of action is to schedule an appointment with a doctor. Early detection is key.

We are here for support, but your health must come first.

---

For the previous week's thread, click here

Hola, me operaron hoy de un lunar que será enviado a biopsia mañana. Ha sido una cirugía en cuero cabelludo. No fueron muy específicos con el lavado de la cabeza y cabello post cirugía. Me dijeron que podría lavarlo suavemente sin tocar herida.
Tienen experiencias de esto? Cuántos días esperaron para poder lavárselo? Igualmente estoy súper nerviosa y ansiosa del posible resultado y me encantaría saberlo ya mismo que es. Porque me molesta la incertidumbre. Como lo manejarían ustedes ese tiempo? Son tres semanas de espera.

Hello everyone, today is Sunday, July 19, 2026 (for reference).

Welcome to the weekly thread for sharing your biopsy waiting period anxieties and results. This is a safe space to connect with others who are in the same boat.

Are you waiting for biopsy results?

• Feel free to share when your procedure was and when you expect to hear back.
• What are you doing to keep your mind occupied during the wait?
• Share your anxieties, fears, and hopes with people who truly understand.

Have you recently received your results?

• Feel free to share your results, whether they were what you hoped for or not.
• This is a place to find support as you process the news and figure out next steps.

A few friendly reminders:

• Be kind and supportive. Everyone's journey is different.
• Do not ask for a diagnosis or provide medical advice in this thread. Please report any comments that do.
• Remember to follow all subreddit rules.

You are not alone in this. We're here for you. 🖤

For the previous week's thread, click here

I had my mohs for BCC one week ago with only one cut needed. Initially, I asked how long the stitches would need to remain and the doctor said 7-10 days. However, after stitching he said 14 days so I am not scheduled to have them removed until next week. But now I am wondering if that is too long since it is my forehead and perhaps that could cause track marks?

Any and all thoughts appreciated.

I was diagnosed with basal cell, a very small bump on the top of my cheek under my right eye I had the derm look at and do a biopsy. I'm only 28 and try my best to wear sunscreen so I was very surprised when they said it was basal cell - infundibulocystic type.

It's a very small bump (0.5 cm), but under my eye so they recommended Mohs, which I have scheduled. The doctor recommended plastic surgery, which they initially told me I could get the same day so I agreed to it.

When trying to schedule with the plastic surgeon, they said I have to schedule for the next day and also seemed to say I'd have to be under anesthesia because it's on my face (while my derm's nurse had previously said it would be lidocaine).

This greatly complicates things because now I have to take another day off of work, figure out who's going to drive me, and since I live in the city, it's a super long commute to the suburbs for this procedure. Plus, they're making me get bloodwork and EKG monitoring from my primary care physician (I don't have one, and I never had to get this done when going under for a colonoscopy).

Does all this seem normal? I've had not experience with anything like this before and want to make sure this is standard procedure and not me getting the run-around to drive up my medical bills.

Thanks!

I posted about my battle with skin cancers. This is a follow-up. During my 15th surgery, my dermatologist suggested I contact an oncologist. Good idea. I now consult with an oncologist at Boston Eye and Eye Hospital. He handles skin cancers above your shoulders as in facial and scalp cancers. I've had 4. I read an article in the BBC news that a study in the UK discovered that high-risk people , thats me ,that took 500mg of niacinamide twice daily reduced their cancers by 25%. I've been taking it for about 18 months and have been skin cancer free. I got really tired of being carved up every few months over the last couple of years. In my case, it's apparently working. I have my six month check soon, but I can't find any indication of skin cancer, and I'm really good at finding them, I check daily. So consider niacinamid... no side effects and cheap, especially when compared to MOHs surgery. I was paying my dermatologist Mercedes payments monthly for a while.

First week of radiation not quite complete. Ended up vomiting as i got on the table so that ended things quickly. Dr and nurses think im having severe anxiety when it comes to the mask. So i found some of my essential oils to try to help deal with it. I do have a prescription for ativan and that became mandatory for future sessions. So i must have a driver now. Dad is stepping in to drive. I thought i would be getting used to things by now but i guess not.

Hello everyone,

Welcome to our weekly thread for sharing photos of concerning moles, spots, or lesions. If you're worried about something on your skin, this is a place to share it with the community for support and to see if others have had similar experiences.

When posting a photo, please try to include:

• Where the lesion is on your body.
• How long you've had it.
• Any changes you've noticed (size, shape, color, itching, bleeding).

---

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

No one on this subreddit can provide a medical diagnosis. The comments and feedback you receive are from laypeople sharing their own experiences, not from medical professionals. Online photos are not a substitute for an in-person examination by a qualified dermatologist.

If you are concerned about any spot on your skin, the only correct course of action is to schedule an appointment with a doctor. Early detection is key.

We are here for support, but your health must come first.

---

For the previous week's thread, click here