My Journey with Skin Cancer and Chemotherapy Cream
It began last year with a small, scaly pink patch on my right forehead that wouldn’t go away, no matter how many topical treatments I tried. As a dermatologist, I’ve seen countless patients with similar spots, and something about this one made me uneasy. I asked a colleague to treat it with liquid nitrogen—a common technique for precancerous lesions—but that didn’t clear it up. Trusting my instincts, I opted for a biopsy. Deep down, I knew it might be more than just actinic keratosis (a pre-cancer).
When the biopsy results came back, confirming an early basal cell carcinoma, I felt terrified. Despite knowing that basal cell carcinoma is a slow-growing and generally non-life-threatening type of skin cancer, I was completely overwhelmed by the fact that I had grown something I treat all day every day.
Choosing Chemotherapy Cream
Even though managing and treating skin cancer is quite familiar to me, I decided to sit down with my dermatologist (yes, I go for skin exams regularly!) to discuss treatment options. I opted for an aggressive course of topical chemotherapy and used 5- Fluorouracil for three weeks. There are different preparations of topical chemotherapy and it is super important to discuss which one and what type of course is indicated for you. Most commonly, we use either plain 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) or a compounded version, or imiquimod. These work by targeting and destroying abnormal precancerous and cancerous skin cells while leaving healthier ones behind and intact.
The redness and irritation can be intense, often resembling a severe sunburn. It took my skin almost two weeks for the redness and irritation to begin, and then I continued to apply the topical until the area reached maximum redness and irritation. This was certainly emotionally challenging at times to constantly be explaining why I had a large red area on my forehead. However, within a few weeks after stopping application, my skin appeared smooth and significantly improved. The redness after topical chemotherapy can take weeks to subside.
More recently, I decided to treat a mildly scaly area on the left side of my forehead that I had noticed over a few weeks. This time, I used a compounded version of 5-FU, so the area started to appear red faster. I was surprised at how I responded, because I had undergone treatment on my right forehead, and had also received laser treatment and photodynamic therapy on my face in the past year. Nonetheless, the scaly area resolved, and my forehead looks better than ever.
Managing Side Effects and Long-Term Benefits
The redness from chemotherapy cream typically lasts several weeks after treatment ends. I have found that I can usually return to my topical routine comfortably within a few weeks after treatment. Moisturizers and gentle cleansers helped soothe my skin, but it required patience to let the healing process take its course. I reminded myself that this temporary discomfort was worthwhile for the long-term benefit: reducing my risk of recurrence and addressing a lot of the background sun damage from my youth.
In the year since my diagnosis, I’ve also undergone full-face photodynamic therapy and laser treatments with my colleague, Dr. Valerie Tokarz, DO, FAAD, at Tokarz Dermatology. These treatments aimed to reduce my risk of recurrence and address any remaining sun damage while simultaneously tightening and treating brown spots and discoloration that accumulated during my child-rearing years. Today, I follow a strict daily topical regimen and regularly treat myself with chemical peels and laser treatments. Most importantly, I enjoy plenty of time outside with my family but always practice strict sun protection.
I am often asked by my patients if they can still enjoy going out in the sun after a skin cancer diagnosis. The answer is yes! However, we must make smart choices every day and treat our skin as we would on our children.
Skin Cancer Doesn’t Discriminate
Despite being a dermatologist who educates and discusses the signs and symptoms of sun damage and skin cancer multiple times each day, I did not protect my skin when I was younger—using tanning beds, and having inadequate sun protection during tennis matches—and I’m living with the consequences. But the good news, you CAN do something about it and be proactive to minimize your risk of developing skin cancer in the future. If you notice a spot that doesn’t heal or just doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts and get it checked out. Early detection saves lives!
The journey has been challenging, but it has strengthened my commitment to sun safety and patient education. I hope my story serves as a reminder to be vigilant about your skin and proactive about protection. Wear sunscreen, sun-protective clothing and hats, and don’t ignore suspicious spots. It’s important to be outdoors doing the activities we love, but we must protect our skin in the process.
If you have recently been diagnosed with skin cancer and are considering treatment options, call our office at 401-415-8586 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Findley.