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Hi, my name is Anthea Smith.
I'm a survivor, proud Mum, proud Mother.
I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in July 2015. A lump appeared on my left ear, it was misdiagnosed by my GP who for 5 years told me it was just a wart and nothing to worry about.
I've now had my whole ear amputated, followed by inner ear and middle ear removed, tragus removed, all salivary glands removed, all lymph nodes removed, facial nerve cut and stripped, skin and vessels taken from right thigh to replace skin from neck and scalp. Followed by 32 sessions of radical radiotherapy.
My attitude to sun protection today is extremely serious. I wear factor 50 sun cream each and every day, I wear sun glasses to protect my eyes as I have a mole behind my left eye. I avoid the sun at its hottest times, and seek shade at each opportunity.
I wear mySolbari hat to protect my scars, neck and face. I also wear mySolbari shawl, this offers amazing protection in any setting and is comfortable to wear. Whilst recently on holiday in Australia, both items literally saved my life as I didn't burn once, and they went everywhere with me.
What would I tell my 16 year old self, I would tell her to NEVER EVER use a sunbed, to NEVER sit out and bake in the sun, to respect skin, and accept self as natural beauty. I would tell my 16 year old self, that a tan is not healthy, it is a sign of damage to the largest organ in our body.
Pictured: Me at Manley Beach wearing mySolbari hat.
Thank you Anthea for helping raise awareness for skin cancer, melanoma and skin conditions, and sharing your story with us and our Solbari Community.
The Solbari Team
There are a number of medications known to increase an individual's sensitivity to the sun. If you have a history of allergies and sensitivities like eczema and rosacea, you may be more likely to experience photosensitivity. Both topical and oral medications can cause photosensitivity, so it’s important to check if any medication you are currently taking is a known photosensitiser.
You probably spend more time driving your car than you spend relaxing at the beach, but for which activity do you wear the most sun protection? Beyond sunglasses, we don't always think to use sun protection in the car. This blog post will explain why you need sun protection during your commute and which products you can use for the safest drive.
Your first full-body exam at the dermatologist is important, but it can also be nerve-racking. A positive experience will encourage you to continue getting your annual skin checks and keep skin cancer at bay. This blog post will explain what you can expect and how you can prepare so you feel more comfortable.
