The Sun Is My Vice

Posted on by DCPC

By Robin Soler

Robin Soler's melanoma scar
In 2014, Robin was diagnosed with melanoma. The procedure left a three-inch scar across her arm that serves as a reminder of everything she’s been through.

Sun is my vice. It makes me feel good. It’s the root of my family name. Suns hang on the wall in my home reminding me and my children to shine—to be our best. We often speak of “vices” as something that’s okay because we do so many other things right. My vice damaged my skin.

In the 1970s, when I was hanging out on tar beach—the roof of the brownstone I lived in in New York City—using SPF 4 tanning oil while my friends applied baby oil mixed with henna, I thought I was doing well. I fell in love with the sun-assisted caramel color that my Afro Puerto Rican roots blessed me with every summer. As I got older, I took extra efforts to ensure I had sun exposure. I followed most of the skin protection guidelines as they advanced going from SPF 4 to 8 to 15 and eventually 30. When I made it to SPF 30, I discovered I would get a rash when I was in the sun with sunscreen—I would use it, but I wouldn’t reapply.

In 1998, I became a parent. I practiced good sun-protective behaviors with my children, and in turn myself, but I would often get distracted. In 2010, my oldest daughter started running track. We were outside all the time from March through August. She had a huge umbrella and I had an amazing tan. I would slather up before most track meets, then watch her run, jump, and throw all day. If it was raining in the morning, I’d forget. If it rained during the day or I sweat things off, I usually wouldn’t reapply. I love sun and I love a great tan.

In 2012, I noticed a misshapen mole on my right arm. I knew what it was almost immediately. I bought zinc and bandages and covered it up for 2 years. Yes, for 2 years I put my health aside. In 2014, I finally decided to go to a dermatologist.

Diagnosis: Melanoma in situ.*

Robin Soler with her daughters
Robin with her daughters.

No surprise. But I was still shocked that my cells could multiply like they did. Cancer is not a thing that runs in my family, and I didn’t have any of the risk factors for skin cancer. Fortunately, it could be cut out, but we aren’t all that fortunate. Right after this “simple” procedure, my heart started racing, and I couldn’t stop shaking. I was reacting to the epinephrine used to increase the effectiveness of the lidocaine. I also discovered I was allergic to the stitches.

Today, I have a three-inch caterpillar scar across my right arm that reminds me of what I’ve been through. I still love the sun, but my skin-protection behaviors are very different. I read sunscreen labels and pay for good product. I use SPF 15 or higher as recommended and have sunblock shirts. I don’t stay exposed for long periods of time and I use my daughter’s giant umbrella. Not perfect, but much better because cancer is real, cancer is dangerous, and even the most basic surgeries can result in unexpected consequences.

Learn more about skin cancer and how to protect your skin.

Although some people are at greater risk, anyone can get melanoma. Explore the data to learn more about melanoma among different demographic groups.

*Melanoma in situ is when abnormal melanocytes (cells that make melanin, the pigment that gives skin its natural color) are found in the epidermis (outer layer of the skin). These abnormal melanocytes may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue. Also called stage 0 melanoma.

Robin Soler is the mother to two daughters and is the director of the Office of Applied Research in the Center for Preparedness and Response. She has been with CDC for 15 years, primarily in the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion as an evaluation team lead.

Posted on by DCPC

5 comments on “The Sun Is My Vice”

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    Robin – Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am sharing this with family members who are also African American/Puerto Rican and one just loves to “soak up the sun” – I am hoping that your story will make a difference.

    Stay healthy during these challenging times!

    Thank you for sharing your story. I could say we are “scar sisters” 🙂 I am thankful for my PA who recommended an excision of an abnormal shaped mole that was a very early stage melanoma.
    I still love the sun and I continue to enjoy it with all the precautions mentioned above. In addition to that, I remind everyone to wear sunscreen – including my husband who is from the Caribbean.
    Chees to good health and safe play in the sun for all.

    Thank you for sharing your story. My sister had stage 4 melanoma, blonde hair, blue eyes, fair skin and baby oil tanning all summers in youth.
    It’s a devious cancer.

    I had melanoma that returned after 7 years. I had a mole that I let go for 7 years. I had surgery because it was melanoma. But 7 years later I had a lump appear on my thigh. Went in to have it removed and it came back as melanoma which then I had to have a 5 hour surgery at a major hospital in Chicago. Five or 6 months later I ended up having a scan and it showed up again. I had to go through an infusion treatment that worked and i have been cancer free for over 10 years. If it wasn’t for the drug I did I might not be alive today.

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Page last reviewed: Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Page last updated: Tuesday, February 9, 2021