Hi, my name is Suzanne Reaney.
I’m a grandmother with sensitive, fair skin.
18 years ago I could feel, but not see, a tiny lump at the base of my neck which was sometimes itchy, sometimes sore. This was diagnosed as Bowens Disease, the same cancer which had ultimately killed my maternal grandfather many years before after many surgeries and skin grafts. His was not diagnosed until it was a very large lump on the side of his face. I knew mine needed urgent action.
After surgery it has not returned, although I’ve had many lesser squamous cell carcinomas removed from my back and arms - all results from my teenage years of sunbaking and not taking seriously enough the damage which can be done by UV.
These days I cover as much of myself as possible with either clothing or 50+ sunscreen cream especially on the tennis court and try to spread the message of being UV aware. I’m due for some new sun aware accessories and after doing much research I think Solbari will best meet my needs.
Thank you Suzanne for helping raise awareness for skin cancer, melanoma and skin conditions, and sharing your story with us and our Solbari Community.
The Solbari Team
Your skin is your largest organ and has a long memory. Sun exposure and ultraviolet (UV) damage is cumulative throughout your life. Research shows that sun damage contributes to more than 90% of wrinkles, brown spots, premature skin ageing as well as precancerous and cancerous skin lesions.
It is very difficult to the untrained eye to identify melanomas and skin cancers because they can come in many different shapes and sizes.
As Associate Professor Rosemary Nixon from the Skin & Cancer Foundation Inc. says, "the earlier a skin cancer is identified and treated, the better the chance of avoiding surgery, or in the case of a serious melanoma or skin cancer, potential disfigurement or even death."