Deborah M.

For Deborah, a nurse, educator and hiker, sun protection is part of the curriculum she shares with students, family members and friends.

What is your sun story?

I grew up in Canada. No one used sunscreen when I was young. I’m not sure that we even had sunscreen then! In high school, I used to sun myself all the time. My mom nagged me about staying out of the sun but it was the style to be tan. I went to college on the East coast. You wouldn’t see the sun for six months. Finals were in May and the sun would come out. We would pour it on.

I love to hike all over Marin (Northern CA). I go out with with my husband, my friends, and my Dad, who has a lot of sun awareness because my Mom had melanoma and was sun phobic.

How did you find out you had skin cancer?

Right before our son’s Bar Mitzvah, I noticed a bump next to my nose that didn’t go away. I went to get it checked. It was a Basal Cell Carcinoma. Dr. Krasnoff used a Mohs procedure to remove a 10 x 10 millimeter section, so now I have a scar on my face. When it’s on your leg or arm having a scar is not such a big deal. But on your face -- it’s a huge deal.

How has it changed you?

I’ve taught my nursing students about sun health. And I try to teach my kids to protect themselves, but it’s tough. Short term tanning or sunburn doesn’t show them the effects. But for me - I wear protective clothing - hats, long sleeves, and pants if it’s not too hot. And I’m now out of sun at all costs.