This is part question, part rant, but my mother had breast cancer surgery a few months ago and just completed radiation therapy. She has to take a medication for five years. She has red hair and is fair skinned and freckled. She announced to me she wanted to come to my pool today (96 degrees and not a cloud in the sky!) but couldn't reach me and so now she wants to come down and get in my tanning bed. I politely asked her if she was out of her mind. She then started carrying on about how it doesn't matter and they (the doctors) want her to get some sun, etc. And when I didn't go along with her, she started saying it didn't matter if she lives or dies anyway, so what's the difference. I finally told her, "You are irrational, and I cannot have this conversation with you. I have to hang up. Goodbye." I'm sure I will never hear the end of this. Please tell me I'm not nuts. Is she in any position to be getting in a tanning bed or sitting in the blistering sun?!
2006-07-16 13:08:59 · 15 answers · asked by Rvn 5 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
Couple notes. 1.) No, I am not stupid enough to think that the sun causes BREAST cancer. 2.) Just because I happen to be the owner of a tanning bed doesn't mean that I use it. In fact, I don't. 3.) I am not nagging her, about this or anything else. She is expecting me to "sign off" on her burning herself and risking the effects of another cancer by coming into my home to lay out at my pool and in my family's tanning bed. She is saying things like,"It doesn't really matter if I live or die anyways." As her only child, how do you think that makes me feel for her to ask me think that is a healthy attitude or that her frying herself is a healthy thing to do to prevent future cancers? It's like asking me to run to the store and buy her some cigarettes 3 months after her cancer diagnosis. I can't tell her she can't smoke, but I can certainly tell her I'M not going to be the one to put it in her hand.
2006-07-16 15:43:43 · update #1
To clarify, the used tanning bed was bought years ago when my daughters were in high school and wanted to tan for dances. It was cheaper to buy it than keep buying tanning packages. Now it sits in a room that qualifies as a junk room. You can barely walk to it, and WE don't even use it.
2006-07-16 15:45:41 · update #2
No, happydawg, she wasn't trying to "visit" with me. I wasn't even home at the time. I was working. She just wanted me to give my approval for her to go to my house and tan.
2006-07-17 19:05:58 · update #3
You're not nuts at all. NO ONE should be baking in the sun, whether they are a cancer patient or not. The sun's effects are not good for anyone.
I work with a woman who's mom just has just been diagnoses with breast cancer. Think that stops her from smoking, tanning.. you name it! Of course not. People need to learn to take care of themselves better. Sadly we can't do much but offer them our good advice. You can't make anyone listen if they don't want to.
2006-07-16 13:13:15 · answer #1 · answered by staygold 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your mother had radiation, it's very likely her doctors have warned her to avoid being overly exposed to the sun. Irradiated skin is very sensitive to the sun's rays. It's really your decision, if you don't want her using your pool or tanning bed, then don't let her.
Also in regards to this post:
"AND if you're using a tanning bed in a smart way, you won't get skin cancer (it's burning that causes skin cancer, not tanning too much). Check out the website www.tanningtruth.com ... it's got some really useful FACTUAL information about tanning. Tanning can be healthy if you do it right. "
The American Cancer Society has proven all of this to be false. While UVA rays from the sun are more dangerous than UVB rays from tanning beds, both cause pigment changes in the skin and can cause cancer. There is no "healthy or safe" tanning. People that run tanning salons would just like you to believe otherwise. Just because it's on a web site, doesn't make it "true" And yes, burning increases your chances of skin cancer greatly but make no mistake that people that don't burn and only "tan" can get cancer from the sun or a tanning bed.
2006-07-17 07:42:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just went through the same thing and that's the LAST thing I would do! I'm not saying she should avoid the sun, but she shouldn't ever be in a tanning bed and I'd highly recommend she use wisdom about when she is in the sun; not during the peak times of 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, as well as how long she is in the sun. The valid point of not entirely avoiding the sun is that she does need Vitamin D because they have found that it helps people not get cancer. I'm pretty sure she doesn't want to get cancer again, as I don't. On another subject, she should also continue to take supplements and eat healthier. I'd recommend organic and meats and dairy products that have no hormones or antibiotics. The more healthy choices a person make, the statistic for survival increase. Good luck.
2006-07-16 14:16:50 · answer #3 · answered by evenchaya 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, my parents own a tanning salon in which I worked for a few years. I can say that if she had skin cancer she should not be tanning period. But Skin and breast cancer are not related. You do not get breast cancer from the sun. AND if you're using a tanning bed in a smart way, you won't get skin cancer (it's burning that causes skin cancer, not tanning too much). Check out the website www.tanningtruth.com ... it's got some really useful FACTUAL information about tanning. Tanning can be healthy if you do it right. Some people should get their facts straight before completly ruling things out. At the same time, get the facts before doing it wrong and making it bad also...
2006-07-16 13:16:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the doctor tells her to get some sun then she does not want to sit under artificial sun and that is what a tanning bed is. If her doctor told her to get some sun then she can very well go outside. The sun is very good for you. You get vitamin K from the sun. Not getting enough sun will cause jaundice. Now if you are so worried about her she can put a sunblock lotion that has UVA and UVB protection. UVA and UVB rays is what causes skin cancer. You do not get breast cancer from sitting out in the sun.
2006-07-16 13:15:09 · answer #5 · answered by Miss Vira 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Recent surgical scars are particularly likely to develop skin cancers like squamous cells after tanning or intense sun exposure. Also, skin cancers that develop in new scars are much more likely to spread and are harder to treat than plain skin cancers. Sounds to me like your mom is very depressed and this might be a cry for help. Not sure what you can do but your mom needs counseling and probably an antidepressant. Call her oncologist or family Dr and ask for help. good luck
2006-07-16 13:51:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry. It is a phase that we have to go through. Three years ago I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. It was the most frightening experience. I had to go through many phases, angry, depressed, sad, and even went through the wreckless phase.
You know what I did? After having my tumor removed which took about 18 hours of surgery, I decided to be sarcastic and wreckless. The day after getting out of the hospital I decided to go to an amusement park, and ride every rollercoaster I could find. Hub put his foot down because I wanted to bungie jump.
Don't worry sweetie.. We have to do a few silly things in order to get past the shock of what has just happened to us. Its sooooo overwhelming at first. I am here to tell you, that the wrecklessness will be short lived, and as soon as she starts to deal with the Cancer issues, (THERE ARE MANY) she will come back down to earth. One thing we do not like, is to be told we can't do something. I don't know why that is. Our harmones if she was anything like me go really crazy.. We experience severe high and lows. Death once never an issue has been lurking to close for comfort. Once she has a chance to have a GOOD cry, and deal with the issues, she will grow stronger.
Bless you.. I know I have probably put my kids and hub through hell and back... I owe them sooooooo much for standing by me.
Here is a link to my Cancer diaries. http://www.epinions.com/content_2771624068
2006-07-16 18:30:43 · answer #7 · answered by barbaradjt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm particularly white additionally and positively the worst element for human beings with pores and skin like us is to circulate out and bake interior the solar or lay in a tanning mattress! I only examine an editorial a pair of 22 365 days previous lady who went in a tanning mattress as quickly as a week and have been given one cancerous freckle and died like a 365 days later! certainly do no longer want to try this! i began employing Mary Kay's sunless tanning lotion everywhere and that i glance tanner and it lasts for just about 3 weeks! I only placed on gloves to place it on so its no longer on my hands or fingernails and its somewhat so user-friendly! sturdy success and need it helped!
2016-11-02 04:34:00 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be good to your mother. Breast cancer, no matter what your age, is one of the most traumatic events a woman can experience. If your mom really wants to come to your pool, let her. Somehow, I think maybe she just wanted to be near you, her child. She is crying out for someone to talk to and your arguing with her. What the crap is that kind of attitude! She needs you to comfort her and listen to her not ***** her out. Take a hint! I cannot believe your are missing her hints. She just wanted to come and talk to you and you didn't invite her.
You are missing the signs
2006-07-17 17:41:47 · answer #9 · answered by happydawg 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tanning causes skin cancer. not breast cancer. My dad had skin cancer and had to go through kimo. He survived and smokes a pack a day. He's almost 85 years old now. It all depends on your body type
2006-07-16 13:12:53 · answer #10 · answered by brandon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋