This summer I was diagnosed with melanoma and I’ve gotta be honest…a cancer diagnosis wasn’t part of the July I had in mind. On the plus side, I have gotten very good at sourcing sun protective clothing and learning about surgical scar care during pool season (by the way, this bruise cream is fantastic).

I’m no Pollyanna, but there actually are some positives. It reminded me how important sun protection is for myself and my family (the burns you get in childhood significantly impact your chances of melonoma later in life). It confirmed decisions about paths I do and don’t want to take.

The reason I bother to share this—something I typically would not share at all— is in hopes you’ll take it seriously. If this persuades one of you to go to your dermatologist or to start taking care of your skin, I’ll feel this glimpse into my private life was worth it.

I had a normal looking sun spot appear on my leg in 2019 and I took a photo (I have very few moles…it was just something I noticed and felt like I should remember). This year I realized that spot started to disappear and I knew any change in a mole is worth noting (plot twist: this is called regression and is a more unusual sign of melonoma). While my dermatologist said it was probably nothing to worry about (since the average age of melanoma diagnosis is 61 and the mole itself was average looking), it was because of the change from the photo I took in 2019 that we did a biopsy. And we were both surprised when it came back as melonoma. If I didn’t have the photo, we probably wouldn’t have done the biopsy. Which means that melanoma would have continued to spread.

I like to think that all the effort I’ve put into my health over the decades kept this from being something worse. I was never one to sun bathe. I certainly didn’t tan in high school. I’ve worn face sunscreen almost every day since I was 16. As an adult, I made an effort to avoid mid-day sun, especially in the summer. I have a signature ball cap I wear on walks. It makes this diagnosis even more surprising.

So one surprisingly large surgery scar and a delightful secondary scalp biopsy later, we’re in the clear in terms of cancer. Now that I have a higher risk of returning melanoma, it’s on me to be as sun safe as I can and keep going to the dermatologist every three months.

Learn from my research and pick at least one thing you can use.

Tips for Staying Sun Safe

Stay out of the sun during peak times.

The sun is the most intense between 10 AM and 4 PM. If you’re going to be outside during these times, try to stay in a shaded area and follow the additional below tips. When we go to the beach, we are usually out around 7 AM and go inside mid-day before coming back for the evening.

Wear sunscreen/sunblock.

If you are outside longer than 20 minutes, you should be wearing sunscreen/block. The dermatologist recomended a minimum of 50 SPF. While she likes Elta MD and La Roche Posay, I’m testing additional options that are more my MO in terms of ‘clean’ ingredients. This is very tricky since the US has very out of date regulations and information on sun screen ingredients and technology (Europe and Asia are way more advanced). I want sun protection that doesn’t smell like a 90’s pool, won’t put unnecessary compounds in my body, and doesn’t make me sticky. I tried my first more ‘clean’ conscious body SPF and do not like it…Ask me in a year and I’m sure I’ll have a great recommendation for you.

As an aside, during this experience I also learned that white freckles/spots on your body are actually sun damage. While many people have brown toned spots, they can also show up as white in some people. Another visual reminder to wear your sunscreen.

Wear a hat.

I wear a baseball hat most times I’m outside, but I needed something that provided more face and shoulder protection. While I’ll still wear a ball cap, if I’m at the water or in the garden, this is my new hat. Peter Grimm is a company from 1989 that created the original lifeguard hat. They have tons of styles and after a few weeks of wear I’m very happy with this one.

Wear UPF clothing or cover up with tight knit fibers.

I’ve worn UPF rashguards and tops at the beach the past two years and like the way J. Crew fits. For basic garden apparel/hiking I’m happy so far with Vapor Apparel if only because for basic shirts they carry a color I would actually wear (so much UPF clothing is coral/vibrant beach colors and as an Autumn, this is a no thanks). I’m waiting for this striped top to come back in stock in my size and I’ll probably try this L.L. Bean button up (styled horribly on the website, but think Grace Kelly safari chic…we can make this work).

Wear sunglasses.

Fun fact: did you know occular melonoma exists? Me neither, which made for a fun few days of paranoid research and looking back at old photos of my eyeballs while I waited for my opthamology appointment. The opthammologist’s recommendation is easy: wear sunglasses.

Check your skin.

Hopefully you’re doing self exams for other types of cancer already, but add skin to the list. Be aware of any spots on your body that appear/dissapear (me), change, or feel unusual. The number one question that was asked about every questionable spot after a full exam was “has this spot changed?”. Take a photo for a reference comparison if you’re unsure once you notice it. At the end of the day, having a reference photo is what saved me from my situation progressing to something worse.

On to the regular programming…

What are some interesting food links right now?

• Chicago has its own liquor called Malört.

• Six companies are vyying to claim the alternative chocolate market.

• A cringeworthy example of shrinkflation on the shelves. Clif is using this box that says “now with 15 bars” (insinuating you’re getting more) after reducing it from 18 bars. Worth noting: Clif sold to Mondalez in 2022 for 2.9 billion after decades of turning down offers.

What are some interesting health articles?

• Skin nutrition: Over 16 weeks, a Mediterranean diet and algae-derived omega-3 supplements led to sizable reductions in inflammatory and non-inflammatory skin lesions in people with mild to moderate acne.

• You’ve heard of the Light Phone. Meet the Daylight Computer. I like this concept and would consider opting in if only there was a color display… If anything, I hope this entering the market is just another push for typical tech companies to integrate healthier aspects into their builds.

• BVO (brominated vegetable oil) is all over the news. As of August 2, the FDA is revoking the ability for companies to use it. Prior to this, CA already banned BVO with NY, PA proposing the same. This additive is used in some soft drinks to evenly distribute flavorings. Studies indicate a link between BVO and neurobehavioral issues. Keep an eye out for a round of company product reformulations.

Here’s what I’m cooking recently:

• Dutch babies. It tastes like the recipe we make for Cream Puffs (but way easier).

• We’ve made this chili crisp tomato salad several times.

• The lemon gingersnap icebox pie (another one that I’ve made 3 times this summer) from this cookbook.