Melanoma Skin Cancer Doesn't Always Begin With A Bad Mole | Jim's Stage 4 Cancer Story

[@Meredith_Feira]

My melanoma experience was very similar to Jim’s. My first melanoma diagnosis was stage 2B at 23 years old. 4.5 years later, it came back as stage 4. Still undergoing immunotherapy treatment, but it seems to be working and keeping my cancer stable. I might be on this treatment for a very, very long time. But so grateful it is an option for me! I am a young mom of 2 kids, and I am trying to be strong for them. Prayers for Jim and his family!

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you for sharing Meredith. I can’t imagine going through cancer and treatments and parenting 2 young kids. 🖤

[@jamesmann2994]

Meredith, hang in there. The new medications today are so much better than years ago. There was nothing for me in 1976 other than Chemo and surgery. fortunately I didn't need chemo. Tell your doctors everything. What you think may be insignificant, may be a clue to help your doctors. I was on immunotherapy for 10 months, then 6 months later I was on BRAF therapy. Both were stopped due toxicity (fancy Dr. terminology) and because I was no longer benefiting from the therapies. Jim

[@kandacepatterson7965]

Is the treatment aweful?

[@Meredith_Feira]

@@kandacepatterson7965 I had really severe side effects in the beginning. But living a totally normal life while still on Opdivo now! Some fatigue at times, but that’s about it.

[@may5588]

@@MelanomaMomI’m confused. Aren’t you a Mom who has been diagnosed with Melanoma?

[@betsyr4724]

My beloved brother Bobby died from this terrible skin cancer. Diagnosed-97, died-2011. God bless his soul and all others who are diagnosed.

[@MelanomaMom]

I’m so sorry you lost your brother to this horrible disease. ❤️

[@Traumawomen]

If even one person looks at this channel and goes and gets something looked at and it helps them then I support this channel.

[@jamesmann2994]

That is a part of why I share my story.

[@Mary-el3pi]

My husband had a basal cell carcinoma at age 24, surgery, and no follow up! At 26, he had a melanoma under his arm. That was removed in the doctor’s office by our family physician! The margins weren’t clear so he had a more invasive surgery a month later. Throughout the next 50 years or so, he had basal cell carcinomas, frequent dermatologist visits, and no recurring melanoma. Then in mid December 2010, after beating prostate cancer and having a full body scan with a clean bill of health, he developed a back ache, then a side ache. Our family doctor said he had the flu, but we knew that wasn’t the case. After two weeks of feeling bad, a second ER visit showed lesions in his liver. We went by ambulance to Methodist Hospital in Houston. He had a biopsy on Dec. 27, the liver specialist told us on the 28th that he had a liver melanoma with no hope of recovery, and he passed away the next day. We were just blown away by how this happened and how fast. It’s a terrible disease.

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I’m so sorry your husband died. As his care giver, you must have had a lot on your plate to handle.

[@dar7230]

Sorry for your loss, I could never endure all of that

[@katecart8790]

At 16 my Mom saw a funny looking mole on my back. I went to my Dr. who referred me to a general surgeon for removal. WLE of that mole and one nearby just to be safe and a skin graft. Mine was stage 0. Lucky me because in 1974 there was absolutely no treatment for melanoma. Fast forward to 2012 when my daughter at 24 was diagnosed with stage 2a melanoma on her neck. After WLE and SLN biopsy we got an all clear. One month later melanoma returned in a lymph node above the original site. Re-staged to 3b. Further surgery with 26 lymph nodes removed. No additional melanoma found. At that time the only treatment offered (and we were lucky to get it) was bio-chemotherapy which was a combo of interleukin, interferon and 3 typical chemo drugs (one that penetrated blood brain barrier). Pretty brutal regime that required hospitalization for 5 days with 10 days off between each course for a total of 3 courses. After losing most of her hair and being really sick for a couple of months she was NED and has remained so ever since. A couple of scares along the way with an inflamed salivary gland and one weird lymph node under her chin that would intermittently swell up (had it surgically removed and biopsied). It's been 11 years and she has since married and has 2 beautiful children. I am so thankful everyday for her health and that treatments have progressed to where they are because I know that melanoma is a tricky beast. Prayers for everyone it touches.

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you for sharing you and your family’s story with us.

[@bobbiemauk1879]

Did you get genetic testing? My mother and I had melanoma and all 4 of my grown children have this gene also.

[@jamesmann2994]

My 1st experience was 1976. Clark 2 depth. Removed and no other signs of Melanoma for 40 years. I had no idea what danger I had been in.

[@tracymcgrath1192]

Returns a lot.

[@PS-hi9os]

can i ask, did you and your daughter spend a lot of time in the sun and did you ever wear sunscreen?

[@teresakryvenchuk6205]

I had breast cancer 4 yrs. Ago. I am a 🙏 prayer warrior. If it's OK I will be praying for all. God bless you.

[@MelanomaMom]

Prayers are always welcome here. ❤️

[@bioshawna]

God bless you too ❤ thank you for prayers

[@betsyr4724]

Thank you.

[@dinkusmcgee1015]

Thank you for sharing these stories. Melanoma hardly RECURS again as another mole. It starts once as a mole type melanoma and often recurs... Not as a mole on the outside, but on the inside of the body. I am not Trying to be annoying, just trying to Let people know that this is typical and that it is often a cancer that comes back years and years later on the inside. This is why it's so tricky and very deadly. I know from experience unfortunately. I wish everybody the best and the greatest health. Peace and ❤️

[@MelanomaMom]

Thanks for sharing your experience . I’m sorry you know first hand about Melanoma. 🙏

[@deirdrekiely6187]

Right. That's the scary part - thinking you're getting it all out during surgery but it's already spreading so deep (maybe even slowly) inside you. Sneaky spread of cancer and it becomes obvious usually at Stage 4.

[@romankudryavcevshow]

@@deirdrekiely6187is there any way to find it early again?

[@Eztliz]

So is there any way to find it before it becomes stage 4?

[@thedustfairy5655]

I don't have melanoma but I do have moles. This has reminded me to keep check on them

[@MelanomaMom]

Yes! Always keep an eye on changes. That’s how I noticed one of mine getting darker over a 6 month time period. Thankfully I saw a dermatologist after noticing the change in color.

[@donna25871]

I’m an Australian - we learn about the sun and melanoma from a young age. People just don’t understand how the damage is done when you are young. Those summers spent in the sun as a child can come back to haunt you as an adult. And it can take as little as one bad burn.

[@MelanomaMom]

I wish we were taught that here in the USA. 💛

[@Gabi-m5]

Australia had the highest melanoma rates in the world in 2022. Why is that if the people learn about the sun and melanoma from a young age? Maybe because isn't about the sun? Who knows

[@elizabethforsyth3054]

me too, used to sail on sydney harbour and go to the beaches... used to burn and blister all the time...., take care

[@seany3303]

I have got my first skin cancer this month on my face at 42 and am having Photodynamic Therapy to remove it tomorrow which I’m nervous about. I live in Queensland in Australia which has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Stupidly I never wore sunscreen on my face in my 20’s and 30’s because I have super sensitive skin and my eyes would always burn from facial sunscreen. Now I wear SPF 50 everyday no matter what. Stay safe everyone 💙

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you for sharing. I’m not familiar with Photodynamic Therapy. Praying right now that the procedure goes smoothly and they get it all. ❤️

[@seany3303]

@@MelanomaMom thank you. It’s a blue light thing. It kills superficial skin cancers like basil cell carcinomas and Squamish skin cancers insitu. It’s a new technology I think. Leaves no scar.

[@LisaNix2]

Thank you for sharing Jims story - - I love to hear other people‘s experiences with melanoma. And I’m looking forward to your review of that sunscreen - - it’s a great price too!

[@MelanomaMom]

I am so thankful my channel is becoming a place to share stories. Thanks for watching. And yes review video coming soon. 🤗

[@mariamorales81]

My husband's melanoma was underneath his thumb nail. It was being treated as a fungus. One year later melanoma. Thumb was amputated at the joint. Lymph nodes were clear. 6 months later..prostrate cancer. It's been a up and down journey. 2 months ago same brownish line down center of toenail..this time it was a fungus but again a biopsy. This us his life now..always looking.

[@MelanomaMom]

Thanks for sharing. I’m so sorry so much is going on with your husband. ❤️

[@mariamorales81]

Melanoma is always believed to be a mole, an irregular patch of skin. That is why we believed it was not melanoma. However, we were told it's what Bob Marley( the reggae singer) died of. So please if you see a tan line down the center of your nail..see a dermatologist not a pcp. We did not go that direction. Had we done that..things could have been allot different .

[@basmiii9016]

hey can i ask how did it look and how was it determined it was melanoma? were there any changes because i have a streak in my thumbnail and im worried. Please replyy

[@crvweaver]

I have not long been diagnosed with melanoma and it’s pretty much put my/families and girlfriends life on pause.. I’m due an operation soon to have my lynthnodes out in my groin. I’m not one to worry about anything and I’m a strong person but this has effected me big time.. I was firstly told it was nothing to worry about and it was up to me whether to have it out or not…I said yes as it was irritating me.. (I only felt this as I was rubbing my legs at night due to long covid) anyway it’s come back as melanoma.. it was 0.9mm deep so therefore surgery is required.. I’m half Greek so didn’t expect this.. it just goes to show we all have to be careful and if people think (it won’t be me) it probably will be so be careful in the sun!.. it’s great you are doing videos on this. I will be checked 6 times a year for 5 years after my operation and my whole body will be mapped.

[@MelanomaMom]

I’m so sorry you have melanoma. I’m praying for you to have a successful surgery. This diagnosis is very difficult. Going through all the stages of grief is normal for most of us. If you need a community to ask questions or just to know others have been where you are…we are here for you.

[@crvweaver]

Thank you very much that means a lot. 👍🏼

[@davinastanton3865]

@@crvweaver I am so sorry you have Melanoma. I have it on too stage 3d.I am getting treated with Dabraendib and Trafinlar taken orally twice a day. They have had to tweak it so much, it makes me so sick. I had my lymph nodes out. He removed 13 and 9 were Cancerous. I now have a lump on my stomach. I will be glad when I see my Cancer Nurse. Please stay safe and take care from Scotland. 💗🕊

[@crvweaver]

@@davinastanton3865 hi Davina.. thanks for your reply. I’m gutted to hear what you are going through.. I really hope you get through all of this! Asap! I no the worry you must be feeling day in day out.. keeping myself busy is helping and I’m sure it may help you but I understand it can all hit you at once.. I’m praying for you! Stay strong! 💪 all the best, from Warrington..

[@deirdrekiely6187]

Lymph nodes.....not lynthnodes.

[@janekeller222]

Has melanoma 1A on my upper arm removed. I had basal 23 years ago. Thyroid cancer and had half my thyroid removed. Going for skin checks every 3 months now. I worshipped the sun the darker the better. Now I pay the price

[@MelanomaMom]

Hopefully future generations will learn from our mistakes. ❤️

[@sashaspring7193]

Hi have had two melanomas then they discovered Thyroid cancer whilst checking my neck lymph nodes ..all within same year . They said no connection.. but recently research has shown higher incidence of thyroid cancer if has melanoma

[@janekeller222]

@@sashaspring7193 wow that’s interesting

[@MelanomaMom]

Oh wow. Thanks for sharing.

[@joyceshankland5126]

Wow I've had a basal cell carcinoma on my face and half of my thyroid removed as well

[@debbiemclean9051]

Bless u u look great and to young to be a grandmother hope u get better u have such a great attitude xx

[@MelanomaMom]

How very kind of you to say. ❤️ however, I am not a grandmother but I do have 2 children. This video is me reading a melanoma diagnosis story from a viewer named Jim.

[@timfahey7127]

Hi folks, and this is for me too when I say this, but watch the way she's applying sunblock She is totally applying it the exact right beneficial way. Take notes everyone and thanks for the content

[@MelanomaMom]

Thanks for your kind words Tim. I’m learning right along with you about best sunscreen application practices.

[@lynndaly3522]

Hello. Thank you for your program. I have had an age spot,I was told for years. In the. Last .week I noticed it had. Had changed from tan to farm brown. It has a raised edge now. I am going to the doctor's soon. Thanx for your stories.

[@MelanomaMom]

I’m so glad you are going to get that spot checked out. Thank you for sharing.

[@jebbiekanfer8843]

That sounds like a seborrheic keratosis but definitely get it checked out asap. It could also be an actinic keratosis which should be easily removed to prevent it from progressing.

[@rdizzy1]

I wonder how people initially find these spots to begin with, they must pay insane attention to every inch of their bodies, because I would never notice such small spots.

[@MelanomaMom]

This is why it’s so important to get yearly skin cancer checks at a dermatologist. However, my melanoma was on my arm and I noticed it darkening over a 6 month period. So, yes, noticing changes on your own skin is key to catching any skin cancer early.

[@channghiem5012]

i hope you well ! best of wishes!

[@jeremydiaz5172]

I deal with chronic illnesses. Its wild how we all have to battle. Sometimes I feel like giving up. Like, I don't wanna fight anymore.

[@MelanomaMom]

I'm so sorry you have to struggle so much. I can't even imagine how difficult it must be for you. Please don't give up. Praying for you right now for God to give you strength. I don't know what it is like to have a chronic illness but I follow a woman on instagram @alittleaboutalot who deals with daily chronic pain and struggles as I imagine you do. Look her up. She's inspirational but also talks about the daily struggles and mental battles. ❤️

[@lesleymaclennan7899]

🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@elizabethforsyth3054]

hope you are ok but understand your feeling x

[@mrm1043]

The fact that almost every melanoma patients have blue eyes makes me soo scared about my health ( i have blue eyes too) ☹️

[@MelanomaMom]

Make sure to get a yearly skin check at a dermatology office and wear sunscreen. I wish I’d known. I’m 2 years Melanoma free but still doing skin checks every 6 months.

[@mrm1043]

Did melanoma cause you health problems or you just found it doing your skin check?

[@bioshawna]

Ughhhh me too 😢

[@franny5295]

Blacks can get skin cancer but it's almost never the same kind that happens to people with pale skin. It's very rare but it's also very deadly because something has gone wrong with the immune system. I found a freckle on the inside of my toe and freaked out because that's cancer. Unless you're black and have freckles on the palms of your hands and soles off your feet anyway. I watched it for two years and it didn't change but it sure scared me. I didn't know blacks could get skin cancer at all. We can't cover up with sunscreen like white people can though because we have a hard enough time getting our vitamin D needs met and there are some things that really require the sun exposure to produce in the body. What takes you 10 minutes in shorts and a t-shirt mid morning takes me an hour and a half naked in noon sun. It's crazy how much variation there is in skin.

[@dar7230]

I have stage 3 and have decided to opt out of treatment. I wish i never even had a biopsy,as i am very healthy,no symptoms. At 62 I have had a good life,am content,and refuse to deal with side effects,pain, hair loss,etc. not worth it for me❤

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you for sharing. I'm sure that was a difficult decision for you.

[@jenniferwong4530]

I’m 60, and I understand your decision. ❤

[@PS-hi9os]

you’ll get through it! ❤️

[@ruthmorris6106]

Clark 2 refers to depth of invasion, stage 2 is when the melanoma has penetrated the blood or lymph system.

[@MelanomaMom]

Thank you for explaining.

[@amamody4699]

hi , l have melanoma stage 3 now i start the targted thirapy ,can i ask you about what about is there special nuitration for melanoma ?? thanks ,🌹

[@MelanomaMom]

I'm so sorry you have melanoma. Definitely ask your oncologist about your diet and what nutrients you should be receiving during therapy. It is my understanding that there are a lot of factors that go into determining nutrition.

[@amamody4699]

He does not believe that there is a relationship between food and cancer or the difference in treatment

[@MelanomaMom]

I don’t have the knowledge between food and cancer. I’m only a year into living life after cancer and still learning. I have always deferred to my doctors who are more knowledgeable on this topic than myself.

[@amamody4699]

thanks dear ...i hope you always doing well & be safe🌹

[@jamesmann2994]

Ama, depending whom you talk to, cancer is/is not, affected by our diet, Drs. would say no. From my reading I would recommend that you reduce sugar and high fatty food. I have been reading the book "Anti-Cancer, A New Way of Life" by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD. He discover he had brain cancer in 2001. The book is about all the things we put into bodies knowingly and unknowingly. He doesn't offer a cure, but a healthy body has a better chance of healing its self and working with the drugs used to fight cancer. Be Brave, Never Give up. I bought my copy on line from a goodwill store for $6.00 Jim M

[@marshabowlin1757]

I just had melanoma removed from my arm in January just a dark freckle my arm still hurts and up my shoulder if I lift with it ,it hurts I am calling dr tomorrow I don’t think this is normal he did tell me it could come on the inside and theirs no test to find it 😢they are having me come in every 3 months

[@MelanomaMom]

Oh I am sorry to hear this Marsha. Praying for you right now that the doctor figures out the source of your pain and how to provide you pain relief. ❤️

[@romankudryavcevshow]

Dude got it removed and no problems for 40 years. That’s lucky!

[@teresakryvenchuk6205]

I would love to find skin care products and make up that I can trust. Can someone suggest some healthy products? Thanks so much.

[@MelanomaMom]

You’ll find lots of sunscreen recommendations on my channel. By “healthy” what do you mean? Are you allergic to certain ingredients? Have you had a bad experience with a particular brand?

[@lindalauragouws4703]

Protect yourself when outdoors.

[@Gabi-m5]

It's not enough

[@alexandrahall1886]

I lost my mum to melanoma on July 16th 2014

[@MelanomaMom]

I’m so sorry. 🖤

[@davinastanton3865]

Alexandra I am so sorry you lost your precious Mam too this awful disease. Ij send hugs and love. 🕊💗🕊

[@bioshawna]

I'm so sorry 😢🙏🏻

[@Gurjeetsingh-ks5dv]

I am suspecting a nail melanoma. Currently in Canada. I can feel my lymph nodes everywhere and no doctor is concerned. Hard to find dermatologist here

[@MelanomaMom]

yikes! I'm so sorry. Here in the USA, getting a dermatology appointment can take 3 to 4 months. Call a dermatologist asap and get an appointment. Then ask if they have a cancelation list that they can put you on so that if another patient cancels they might be able to get you in earlier. Also, insist they biopsy the spot. In my experience, a dermatologist is going to take skin cancer more seriously than a general practice doctor. You must advocate for yourself and insist it be biopsied, especially if you yourself are worried or have noticed changes in the spot.

[@Gurjeetsingh-ks5dv]

Thank you soo much. Recently started getting constant Headaches for a month. Going for MRI. Got referral for dermatologist

[@newnewsbrooklyn1513]

I know of 2 people who got melanoma in areas not exposed to the sun. One person got it on her big toe when she always covered her toes and another got it on his butt. So its not always from sun exposure

[@nannajaysadventures]

I highly recommend a completely natural sunscreen.

[@MelanomaMom]

what does "natural" mean to you?

[@nannajaysadventures]

@@MelanomaMom Homemade! Spent a long time talking with my registered nurse mother in law about sunscreen and how it could be an issue as well. She ended up creating her own based on her needs and it worked well. She also lived in North Queensland which is extremely hot.

[@rachelyoung834]

I had a mole removed last Friday due to it growing in size by 2mm since I got it check in august this year. They said before it got removed that it looked like it had a blood vessel within it now which wasn’t present before. Does anyone have any reassuring words as I await my results. I’m a little anxious. Also my wound is quite big, my mole was perhaps only 8mm, but my wound is about 2 inches long. I’m worried they took more away as they saw something when I was having it removed? It’s been incredibly painful.

[@MelanomaMom]

Waiting for answers is the worst. I’m praying for you right now. Praying for you to be able to breathe through this time of unknowns. Praying you get the results soon so you can know how to proceed. Praying for pain relief. This is but one season in your life. You can do this. Take one day at a time. One moment at a time. Hugs.

[@rachelyoung834]

@@MelanomaMom thank you so much that means a lot xx

[@MelanomaMom]

Are you still waiting to get results back?

[@rachelyoung834]

@@MelanomaMom I am yes, it’s such an anxious wait.. I’m assuming it will be after Christmas now 😣

[@MelanomaMom]

Praying for you as you wait.

[@clairebear1808]

Rhrut rhow I have a spot next to my nose of what looks like basel cell carcinoma . I will know more tomorrow. 😢

[@MelanomaMom]

Praying right now that you get answers tomorrow. so glad you got it or are getting it checked out.

[@lesleymaclennan7899]

🙏🙏🙏🤗

[@bioshawna]

I pray you are ok ❤😢

[@Mattymillman]

I dot have melanoma but I am so worried about this

[@MelanomaMom]

I’m sorry you worry about melanoma. As long as you are wearing spf 30 or higher and reapplying, you are doing a great job protecting your skin.

[@Mattymillman]

Normal moles are circular and oval which aren’t growing right?

[@MelanomaMom]

I’m not a medical professional but everyone’s “normal” moles are unique to yourself. Always get moles and freckles checked by a dermatologist if they look different from other moles on your body or if you’ve noticed them changing. My melanoma was perfectly circular and used to be a flat freckle. But over the course of 6 months I watched it get darker in color. The difficult thing about melanoma is that it looks different on different people. If you think a mole is changing, take a picture of it then take a picture again after a month or so to see if it has changed.

[@Mattymillman]

Did you mole grow?

[@MelanomaMom]

Not that I could tell. I only noticed the color change. But my doctor later told me that it was growing slowly over time.

[@TheCokeMan3]

I probably have cancer and not worried

[@MelanomaMom]

Always best to not worry until you've been given a diagnosis and then you can work with your health care provider to minimize that worry with a plan.

[@underated17]

Wait if you were 23 when you first had that cancer and you got it 40 years later that would make you 63. But there is no way you are 63. You look 40 or 30s

[@underated17]

Wait you have grandkids? You look like a Newlywed 30 something! I am sm so confused!

[@MelanomaMom]

This is not my story. This is Jim’s story. Jim is a viewer of my channel. I share viewer stories here. 💛

[@underated17]

@@MelanomaMom Oh wow.

[@betting4life948]

She literally said all this before the story

[@underated17]

@@betting4life948 Maybe I didn't hear it or skipped through. I had been going through a lot during that time. I was not always clear. Also, I have been through a lot.

[@helengarrett6378]

My HMO does not do full body checks of miles and spots. As I l I've alone I try to do my own inspection. Why isn't this a standard procedure? I also had create a huge fuss to get a dexa scan. When I succeeded it turned out I have osteoporosis. Another time I had to fight to get shingles vaccine. Why do HMOs with supposedly good ratings ignore problem as that so many seniors have and only treat bad outcomes but do no prevention? I have to fight for some things. This HMO delayed treatment so long for my spine with 3 different things wrong and lots of pain until I was too old for their surgical criteria. Now I use a cane and a walker and I am crooked and hurt all the time, every single day. Americans who aren't wealthy get only very basic care!

[@MelanomaMom]

I'm so sorry you aren't getting the care you need. That's awful.

[@deborahlacroix]

Hi love your channel. I want you to know your not putting not enough sunscreen on. What you put on your face would be only enough for your face.

[@MelanomaMom]

I’m so glad you love my channel. I put a quarter of a teaspoon of sunscreen on my face and roughly a shot glass full of sunscreen on my body depending upon what skin is not covered by my clothing. Prior to my skin cancer diagnosis, I failed miserably to apply sunscreen.

[@tanyadawnwalker3675]

🙏🏼❤️

[@droneready8278]

🙏

[@beesadefridamayastudio8267]

🙏🏾❤🙏🏾

[@fwdflashwebdesign]

You don't look sick...

[@lashhimes2570]

Good lord… she reads other people’s posts

[@jennyjones1721]

Interesting but don't need to watch you apply loation

[@carmenybarra2004]

😂

[@zamfambam]

It was annoying right

[@deniseganey6890]

It's a good reminder to stay on a schedule to protect your skin

[@jameshacker6090]

I’m going to try to keep this as respectful as possible. But I will no longer subscribe or watch your videos, you label your videos as if YOU are the one with stage 3 and stage 4. I’m only assuming you’re doing this for clicks. I’m done.

[@knightowlish3]

?

[@salina8059]

THEY'VE ALSO REMOVED MANY MANY SUNSCREENS FOR CAUSING SKIN CANCER AS WELL

[@MelanomaMom]

I haven’t heard this. Which sunscreens cause cancer? I am aware of recalls by Neutrogena and Banana Boat last year for containing low levels of benzene which is a chemical that can form during the manufacturing process. There was also a recall of deodorants last year for benzene. Benzene, in high levels, over prolonged use has been known to cause cancer.

[@betnz]

I believe Zinc sunscreens are the best as ordinary sunscreens have toxic chemicals in them which can be cancer causing

[@MelanomaMom]

Zinc sunscreens are great but where are you getting your information from about chemical sunscreens? Zinc sunscreens still contain chemicals. Zinc oxide is itself a chemical. Have you asked your personal dermatologist whether or not chemical sunscreens cause cancer? Both my dermatologists have told me that both types of sunscreens are effective in preventing skin cancer as long as they are a minimum of SPF30.