Fifty years or so ago, I thought the sun came up so you could get nearly nekid and drink beer. Fifty or so years later, my face and extremities look like they caught on fire and the fires were put out with a track shoe due to many skin surgeries.

Even though I am ruggedly handsome, I'd caution you younger guys to wear the sunscreen. You may not be as tough as the Oldgringo.

sun screen eh? Not for me. Ill pass, that stuff stinks and it gets all greasy and stuff.

dfwaviator,
It is obviously up to each person as to what they do or don't do. I am 42 and really wish I had the information at age 15 that I have today. It may not have made a difference to me either, but if I can just get the message to one person and that person does not have to have basil cells cut off and then stiched up, or frozen off and have blisters on them, then I have accomplished something. Oh by the way, sometimes they just use a knife that is shaped like a "U" and scoop your skin out and then cartorize the area. Nothing like having to smell your own flesh burn while being cartorized, and yes I have had all the above mentioned things done.

At least people have the information so they can make their own decision as to what they want to live with.

Good luck..

Not the spray on stuff, but it is your choice. And I agree with fisn_man-smelling your own flesh being cauterized isn't a pleasant experience.

I've had both Basal and Squamous. Either will leave a nasty scar if cut out. Squamous can spread. Both are caused by sun. Melanoma is caused by sun also but read about it then decide if you want to be around to see your kids grow up, their graduation, wedding or to see your grandkids. Not to mention the pain you would put your family through just because something felt greasy. And I'm only 35

http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/skin_cancer.html

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
Also known as a rodent ulcer, this is the most common form of malignant skin cancer in people with white and fair skin. It is rare in people with dark skin.4,5

A BCC is an overgrowth of basal cells in the epidermis - usually in areas of skin that are exposed to the sun such as your head and neck.5 Usually, it grows slowly in the skin and does not spread to other tissues.4,6

If left untreated a BCC will slowly grow and turn into an ulcer and grow deeper into your skin and damage nearby structures. For example, BCC on the face may erode and damage your nose or one of your ears.5

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
This is the second most common malignant skin cancer in people with white and fair skin.7 It is rare in people with dark skin.5

An SCC is an overgrowth of squamous cells in the epidermis. It often occurs on areas that are exposed to the sun.5,7

An SCC can spread into the surrounding skin, and also potentially to other parts of the body but this is not common.5,6,7

Melanoma skin cancer (malignant melanoma)
Around 7,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma each year in the UK.1 It affects slightly more women than men.2,8 Melanoma is uncommon in people with dark skin.9

Melanoma is an overgrowth of melanocyte cells in the epidermis. These are cells that make a pigment called melanin when your skin is exposed to the sun. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer as it often spreads to other tissues or organs.2,5

Symptoms
Different types of skin cancer can look different.

Non-melanomas such as a BCC cancer, for example, can start as a small red, pink or pearly dome-shaped lump.5

SCCs often appear as small scaly or crusted areas of skin with a red or pink base.5

Melanoma usually starts as a dark spot or mole on your skin. If a melanoma spreads to other parts of your body, you can develop other symptoms such as swollen lymph glands (nodes).9

Symptoms which may indicate skin cancer include any spot or lesion that:

changes in size10
has an irregular shape10
has an irregular colour10
becomes inflamed10
forms an ulcer10
oozes10
feels different10
Although these signs do not necessarily mean you have skin cancer, you should visit your doctor to have it checked as soon as possible.

Causes
The cause of skin cancer isn't fully understood at present. But there are certain factors that make skin cancer more likely. The main risk factor for any type of skin cancer is exposure to the intense ultraviolet light of sunshine.5

Other factors that may increase your risk of skin cancer include:

fair skin that burns easily - people with black, brown and darker olive complexions have a lower risk of skin cancer2,7
a family history of skin cancer2,6
skin which has a lot of moles (more than 50)2
red or fair hair and blue or green eyes2,7
freckles2
bad sunburn as a child2
using a sunbed2,9
your job - if you work outdoors you are exposed to more sunlight than if you are office-based7
increasing age - non-melanomas such as SCC and BCC are more common in people over 60 and are rare in children5,6,7

Well I've been lucky so far at the old age of 25 to be fortunate enough not to get any type of cancer, but I do have some information I'd like for all of the fishermen and women and outdoor folk on board to know.
Water can reflect up to 90% of UV rays, so that hat your wearing isn't all that effective.
These are the main types of UV radiation UVA I/II, UVB, UVC
Most of the UVC the strongest in energy is absorbed by the ozone layer, so you should be worrying about UVA I & II and UVB.
Most sunscreens block the UVB and not UVA, this is due to the ingredients they contain. The only ingredient that I have heard of that can block UVA I/II and UVB is AVOBENZONE, so look for that ingredient. I don't have the brand sunscreens that contain it so I can't help you there, but if you can't find one that contains Avobenzone, the next best would be a sunscreen that contains Anthranilates and Oxybenzone.
Also, dont forget about your lips too as we see a lot of cases of skin cancer forming on and around the lips too.
So find a sunblock with avobenzone, or anthranilates and oxybenzone and you should be good. Ill try and find out some good sunscreens and post them as soon as I can.

oh yeah dont use old sunblock from last year it dont work they need a experation date on them

I have known my wife since we were thirteen. I watched her loose her mother, an avid fisherwoman, to skin cancer(that progressed) a few years later. My wife has the same kind of skin and has had 6 precancerous moles removed in the last year. My wife and I wear UV blocker long sleeve shirts and a hat with a long back to cover our neck, as well as long pants. I saw what happened to my wife's family when her mother passed. My wife and I will do everything we can to make sure that won't happen to our family.

About 2 months ago I had about 20 spots on my left arm frozen off and a month ago had chunk of meat the size of half dollar removed from my right arm. Sunblock and long sleeves are now the order of the day for me.


Terry

My mama always said 'native americans dont need no sissy sunblock.' She says it's genetic, we just dont need it.

I wear it, reluctantly, even after having had two surgeries to remove pre-cancerous lesions on my forehead and neck. I've had plenty of 4-5 at a a shot 'freezings' too. The part I can't stand is the way my eyes burn when the sunscreen seeps into them.