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Skin Cancer (Non-Melanoma) Discharge Instructions


About this topic


Skin cancer can be a serious illness. Ultraviolet rays from the sun or tanning beds is often the cause. You develop abnormal skin cells. These grow quickly and out of control. Skin cancer is most common in people with fair skin. It often grows on the head, neck, and areas of your skin that are exposed to the sun. ‚  
Finding cancer early makes it easier to treat. Skin cancer is treated in many ways. Your doctor will base your treatment on the size and type of your cancer. Where it is located and how deep the cancer is will also guide your treatment. You may need to have surgery, radiation, or drugs called chemo. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Rest when you are feeling tired.
  • Make family and friends aware of your illness and let them help.
  • Stay as active as you can, with planned rest periods.
  • If you smoke, quit. Talk to your doctor about use of beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
  • If you had surgery, follow your doctors instructions for wound care.
  • If you are having chemo or radiation, your doctor may give you drugs to help prevent you from feeling sick or other side effects.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. You may need more blood work, tests, or treatment.
  • If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.

What drugs may be needed?


Ask your doctor what drugs you will need to take. Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor. The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Help with pain
  • Help with side effects like upset stomach and throwing up
  • Prevent infection

Will physical activity be limited?


  • Outdoor physical activities may be limited. Ask your doctor if you need to limit your time outside.
  • Your activity level will depend on your procedure or treatment. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. Ask your doctor when you can return to your normal activities.
  • Try to exercise each day to help give you energy. Talk to your doctor about what exercises may be good for you.

What changes to diet are needed?


Eating a healthy diet is important during this time. If you need help, ask to see a dietitian. ‚  

What problems could happen?


  • Cancer could come back
  • Spread of cancer to other tissues
  • Infection

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Avoid going outdoors between 10 AM and 4 PM.
  • When you are going outdoors, apply a broad spectrum sunscreen. It should have a high sun protection factor (SPF). Ask your doctor what sunscreen is best for your skin type.
  • Be sure to apply sunscreen on your skin every 1 to 2 hours if you are outside. Apply more often if you are swimming or sweating.
  • Stay away from surfaces that reflect more light like sand, water, and white surfaces.
  • Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.
  • Apply sunscreen even during winter and cloudy days.
  • Skin burns faster in higher places like the mountains.
  • Wear a hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, skirts, and pants when outside.
  • Check your skin often for unusual growths or lesions.

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
  • Very bad itching
  • New growths or lesions
  • Very bad sunburn or blistering in the skin
  • Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you how I will care for my cut site, if I have one.
  • I can tell you ways to prevent skin cancer.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, or redness or drainage from my wound.

Where can I learn more?


American Academy of Dermatology ‚  
http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/a---d/basal-cell-carcinoma ‚  
http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/q---t/skin-cancer ‚  
http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/q---t/squamous-cell-carcinoma ‚  
American Cancer Society ‚  
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/SunandUVExposure/skin-cancer-facts ‚  
National Institute of Health ¢ ˆ ’ Senior Health ‚  
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/skincancer/skincancerdefined/01.html ‚  
National Organization for Rare Diseases ‚  
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/764/viewAbstract ‚  
Skin Cancer Foundation ‚  
http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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