Your Story Series: Meet Julie
What is your name?
Hello, my name is Julie Scammell.
Describe yourself in 3 to 5 words.
Loving. Caring. Mother. Wife.
How did you discover your skin cancer / melanoma / skin condition and how long ago?
I discovered my condition in 2014/2015. I noticed a sore on my front hairline/scalp which never seemed to get better. It would bleed, scab, bleed again. Never actually healing.
As I had my hair coloured and styled each month at the hairdresser, I thought my stylist must have been a bit rough on the blow drying fringe section and scratched my head with the curling brush. However, I noticed a parting starting to emerge where the sore was.
A visit to my doctor ended up with appointment to dermatologist who diagnosed basal cell carcinomas. In June 2018 my plastic surgeon cut away the rodent ulcers. It was an unpleasant, anxious experience. One which I do not want to have again. However, I have been told after having had them once, they will probably return, in the same area, so I check myself regularly.
What is your attitude towards sun protection today?
I put on my high factor sun cream, (I use it every day of the year). Always wear my sun hat out in any sun. And sunglasses to protect my eyes. I cover up my skin by wearing Solbari clothing.
What would you tell your 16-year-old self about sun protection?
As I never really sun bathed in my younger days, I can’t really say when the damage occurred. So I can’t say anything to my younger self about being safe in the sun because I actually thought I was.
Now I wear my protective clothing from Solbari, and I absolutely love them. They keep me cool, protected and stylish to wear. And as I no longer dye my hair, they look great on a grey haired 57 year old.
