Skin cancer...best advice at WDW?

[ptrbryant]

I've had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my forehead and have several other spots that are being watched. My doctor said when I'm outside, use 40+ sunscreen but remember that it's only to get me from one shady spot to another. I've got a wide-brimmed hat and plan on wearing long-sleeved, light blouses unbuttoned over t-shirts...though that's sounding awful when it's 90+ in Florida!
Does anyone have any experience with this? What do you do, specifically on trips to WDW?

Thanks!

Karla B.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I alwqays wear a brimmed hat and use Spectra3 50, recommended by a DIS'er here, works great. http://www.coppertone.com/prodselect.aspx?pgid=5 Over 10 days at WDW, barely a shade difference on my exposed skin.

 

[Christine]

I have not had skin cancer, but I have extremely sensitive, I burn easy, and I am also "photosensitive" because of some of the meds I take and the fact that I have rosacea. I will tell you--I don't even go to the beach anymore.

But, at Disney, I have just had no problem. We were there last June and it was blistering hot and sunny out. I was really worried. And I don't "do" hats. So, slapped on my best sunscreen (I wear micronized zinc) and went out. You know, I never even got a hint of sun. I think we were just in and out of rides/buildings so much that my actual exposure in the sun was brief. Disney does a great job of shading all the queues and it was just not a problem.

The waterpark was a different story. I spent a lot of time under a palm tree.

 

[casey49781]

i have also had skin cancer also a basel cell removed from under my eye,dr said absolutely no sun,,,so i hammer on the sun screen 45,,,were sun glasses and go out to the water park all the time,,,my kids also have light skin like myself so i alway put it on let it dry for half hour then put it on again so double coat,,it works for us,,,

 

[liamsaunt]

It might be worthwhile for you to invest in some sun-protective clothing. It is very breathable, but will shelter your skin from the sun. Load up on the sunscreen of course, and make sure to wear a hat! If you wear sandals, don't forget to put sunscreen on your feet.

Good luck to you! FYI, my dad just had about a dozen basil cell sarcomas removed from his head last week, and he is scheduled for one to be taken off his back in a week or so. He waited forever to have them taken off, and now has to have continuing treatment that may not have been necessary if he had not waited.

 

[ptrbryant]

Yeah, I was looking at Coolibar's website for sun-protective clothing...I just can't figure out how much of a difference it makes compared to a regular, cotton long-sleeved blouse, etc.

Karla B.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I had a BCC removed from my upper arm, last summer. (Man, did that throw me for a loop!) Now, I put a (small) bandaid over the spot whenever I wear lightweight or sleeveless tops. I also use sunscreen religiously. I use a brand called, "Minus Sol". I like it, especially for my face. It isn't greasy. It feels more like a creamy lotion. It is expensive! But it makes all the difference for me. I don't feel like I have to shower or wash my face as soon as I get inside. I think that's why I didn't wear sunscreen very often before. ETA- I wore it, just not while running errands and out and about. Which is when you get the most "cumulative" sun.

Anyway, I just hate that greasy feeling!!! Ugh.

Do the sunscreens you guys recommend feel good on? I'd like to find an effective, less expensive brand for all over use that doesn't feel greasy. (Good luck, huh?)

Thanks for providing the coolibar website. I just took a look at it and have it bookmarked.

 

[ducklite]

Another Rosacea victim here. Wide brimmed sun hat, high SPF sunblock, linen pants and long sleeved tops over a linen or cotton tank. If you choose a light colored linen, it will be as cool as shorts and t's.

And you could also thinking bout using an umbrella. I've done this a few times, and it really does cut down on the sun exposure.

Anne

 

[DVC-Don]

Another skin cancer survivor here - melanoma. As others have said, light colored clothing, 360 wide brim hat, high # sun screen applied every couple of hours and I never swim till late in the afternoon or evening. And I stay in any shad I can find whenever possible.

 

[mrsg00fy]

Ducklite...just curious...do you wear the long pants and shirt...even if lightweight... in august?
We go to Disney in the last week of August every year and it is really hot. We usually wear tank tops and lots of sunscreen. It would not occur to me to wear long items...even if lightweight.
Thanks.

 

[Cindyluwho]

Yeah, I was looking at Coolibar's website for sun-protective clothing...I just can't figure out how much of a difference it makes compared to a regular, cotton long-sleeved blouse, etc.

Karla B.

I think a regular cotton shirt is only 4 or 5 spf? Coolibar's is around 50+ I think. My husband has had Melanoma so no sun for him. He loves the Coolibar clothing and it really is lightweight and breathable.

 

[daisyduck123]

My mother has had Stage 3 melanoma twice now.

We go to Disney with her every year. She wears a hat, t-shirt, & long pants or capris. We don't go in the summer so she does not need to wear shorts.

 

[ducklite]

Ducklite...just curious...do you wear the long pants and shirt...even if lightweight... in august?
We go to Disney in the last week of August every year and it is really hot. We usually wear tank tops and lots of sunscreen. It would not occur to me to wear long items...even if lightweight.
Thanks.

Not always, but I have. I have asthma that's aggravated by heat, and have done a ton of expirimenting over what keeps me cooler. Lightweight linen pants and long sleeves in a light color is as cool or cooler than cotton shorts and tee.

Anne

 

[mousey]

I'm a melanoma survivor. I always cover the area of my leg where I have had surgery 3 times on. I always look for shade too!

 

[sammi]

I also had a cancer removed last year from my temple and my specialist just said to make sure I wear a hat and use sunscreen above 35. We were at WDW last month and everything went just great!

 

[Christine]

Has anyone here tried the product by Ritt (the dye makers) where you can *wash* SPF into your own clothing. I bought a box last year and then never used it.