Medical News

Filed under: Skin Cancer, Prevention, Magazines

When I describe the cancerous lump I found in my breast almost three Novembers ago, I explain that it felt like a hard, frozen green pea. The port used for chemotherapy infusions and sewn under the skin near my collarbone? It looked like a bottle cap popping up for all to see. My kids called it a stone. I had to numb my skin prior to treatments — the needle inserted into the center of the port was just too big and painful. I slathered on my numbing lotion prior to each dose of drugs. Imagine the size of a quarter. I used twice this much. I was wimpy.

There’s something about visual descriptions that help us remember some of the more important things in life. Here’s a good one:

According to Jeffrey Dover, MD and associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, we must not skimp when we apply sunscreen. How do we know if we are cutting ourselves short? We should be using a shot-glass full of sun protection to cover our bodies. Anything less is not enough.

I hadn’t every heard this shot-glass tip before. But I’m glad I’ve got it committed to memory now. I hope you do too.

Source: The Oprah Magazine, June 2007

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Original post by Jacki Donaldson