Keep an eye on your skin, and if you see any kind of unusual redness or lumps or bumps that you haven’t noticed before, then you should have them checked. Your oncologist/hematologist cannot evaluate those. I had been on Hydrea for about a year when I saw a raised reddish spot on my lower leg. I had known that agent had a skin cancer risk. So, I went to a dermatologist who biopsied the lesion. It turned out to be basal cell cancer and then had it excised. A second biopsy on the upper thigh was negative After that, my oncologist recommends a full body check by the dermatologist every six months

Well folks, I took Hydroxerea for 4 yrs 2x per day & developed ILD -interstitial Lung Disease - which now gives me additional problems instead of the blood cancer! When I changed Drs & changed meds to Jackifi it was much better. & after 4 more years I am still doing good!

I have had a few basal cells removed over the years, ever since my 20's, apparently as a result of growing up in swimming pools and at the beach in Los Angeles. Three years ago I started HU for ET caused by Cal-R mutation. Last year I had two squamous cells removed. This year I had a few superficial melanoma cells removed from the top of my head. I worried about the carcinogenic aspect of HU as I'd never had anything but basal cells before I started HU. The dermatologist, internist and hematologist all agree that I should continue with HU to lower platelets, avoid sun exposure, and have body checks by the dermatologist every few months in case there is new skin cancer. I'm hoping for a future drug that lowers platelets without worsening my long-standing skin cancer problem.

I've been going to the dermatologist every six months, too.

Thank you MaryAnn for your kind words.

Good luck with getting this site more user-friendly when it comes to finding posts. I've responded a few times to people, usually also asking a question, and can never find my post to see if anyone answered.