Does the transplant meds cause skin cancer?

[Des]

I read up today that you should not get in the sun too much after a transplant. Something in the meds make your skin more susceptible (spelling please) to skin cancer.

Is this true? and Which meds causes this.? As you know I live in "sunny" South Africa and don't really have anywhere else to go but in the sun. heheh

[BrandyChloe]

Not sure which med it is but my dermotologist told me I would need to be more careful in the sun after the transplant due to skin cancer. And I live in sunny Florida!

[Rerun]

I think all of them (drugs) drugs make you more susceptible to the sun.  They damage your T-cells and makes it hard for your skin to fight off viruses.

http://www.aakp.org/aakp-library/Love-Sun/

[RichardMEL]

yep. guess I won't be visiting the nude beach after my transplant....


.... I don't visit any before anyway so no real loss!!! 

This is a known post transplant issue and has been highlighted for me also.

[YLGuy]

Science News
Kidney Transplant Patients Face Higher Skin Cancer Risk

"Kidney transplant patients, who are receiving long-term immunosuppression," conclude Hollenbeak and his colleagues, "have a 3.6-fold increase in the incidence of melanoma when compared to the general population," and should receive regular complete skin examinations.

[RichardMEL]

Complete skin examinations huh? Sounds like I'd prefer the nude beach!!

[YLGuy]

Most people don't have to worry about "complete" skin exams as some parts never are exposed to the sun.  The exception would be those that go to nude beaches! 

[okarol]

We live in sunny California. Jenna routinely wears sunscreen (she probably will look young much longer too!)
She has an annual dermatologist review since her transplant.

[Maker]

I just had my first transplant consult (trying to get on the list) on Monday, and the Neph explained to me that its not a side effect of the drugs specifically, rather, transplant patients are highly succeptible to infections, viruses, and cancers of all kinds due to the immunosupression.  He told me I will be buying many huge Kentucky-Derby style wide brimmed hats after the transplant    Too bad...I love the sun, but it will be worth it 

[kellyt]

They make you more susceptible to skin cancer.  They suggest you always wear Sunscreen on your face, neck and hands, and arms and legs when exposed to sun.

[Melissa]

Yes, this is true...as Rerun and Maker say the drugs make your skin more susceptible to the viruses, cancers, etc.
I was on immunosupressants for over 20 years, starting when I was a teenager.  I completely ignored the Dr's warnings and sat in the sun, and then I lived in LA for 6 years. I did not wear sunscreen religiously until my 30's.   My skin is very, very damaged and it did not show up until age 35 or so, as is normal for sun damage....I can not stress enough the importance of wearing tons of sunscreen, reapplying often, and hats, and sunglasses.  And get those yearly skin checks!

OK...there is one more embarassing skin issue that I had because of these drugs....I am going to tell you because I think it is avoidable.  I think it is more of a problem for the ladies, but my father had some of these too.  I became susceptable to this skin virus that causes small little bumps, similar to warts, to grow.  They are spread on yourself, not to others, very easily, by scratching one and touching another place on your body, by shaving your legs...pretty much anything that might slough tiny amounts of skin cells.  At first there are just a few, but then they are everywhere!  I have to go to the dermatologist every 6 weeks to get them checked and/or removed.  Yuck, right?
I think you can avoid and minimize these by waxing or using a cream like Nair instead of shaving your legs, and being vigilant about skin checks and avoiding sitting in the sun from the day you start the drugs!  Also, the more sun damage you get, the more easily the bumps will form.  Well, that's my horror story for tonight!  Protect that skin!   

[draven]

hi des

i went to a dermatologist here in cape town. and was told that i need to take more care going out in the sun due to meds. so will use a stronger suncreen and avoid long hours in the sun. avoiding the sun in africa is not easy. especially since summer is around the corner.