The ongoing challenge of skin cancer

September is Healthy Aging Month. One subject that seems to affect all of us, especially as we age, is skin cancer. I have tackled the subject before in my column because skin cancer affects such a huge percentage of us. In fact, the American Cancer Society tells us: In 2015, 3.5 million basal and squamous cell cases; 73,000 melanoma cases. I feel it is vital that I continue its discussion, which could become a life or death situation for any of us.

As we entered our teens and twenties, some of us suffered skin damage through occupational outdoor jobs. Then there were many of us who grew up in a society that worshipped suntans, myself included. While at the University of Illinois (Champaign), each April, a rite of spring occurred for my friends and I. As we lay on the grass outside of our dorm rooms, our skin warm and drenched in iodine-soaked baby oil with tinfoil trays reflecting up at our faces, we were totally unaware of the early significant damage we were doing to our skin. I wonder now how many of those young co-eds, like myself, developed future skin cancers. But sadly, old habits do die hard. There are those of us who are still unwilling to let go of the attitude that tans make us look slimmer and younger and healthier and, in general, much more attractive to ourselves and the opposite sex. During the past few months, our Sun City two outdoor pools and their surrounding patios revealed those in the process of sun worship, many using practically no skin protection.

Despite a multitude of warnings from health agencies, especially the American Cancer Society, these same individuals will most likely continue their careless behavior in warm winter locations such as Florida and Arizona. For these Sun City seniors especially, therefore, I feel the need to preach on the subject of skin protection from the sun.

Mistaken ideas about when the sun can harm us and about skin protection add to our danger. From the norwichbulletin.com (9/8/15) / all quotes are from Darrell Rigel, M.D., clinical professor of Dermatology at NYU Medical Center, and present member and former president of the American Academy of Dermatology. Here then are his 10 common myths on the subject and facts to help you shield your skin from damage:

Myth 1: Dark skin protects you from skin cancer. The FACT is “Anyone can get skin cancer, even the darkest skinned people.” The odds are, however, more against the fairer-complexioned person.

Myth 2: A base layer of tan shields you from skin damage. The FACT is “Tanned skin IS damaged skin. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation harms the skin’s DNA, which in turn stimulates melanin, or pigment cells, darkening the skin. There’s no such thing as a safe tan.”

Myth 3: Only the sun can cause skin cancer. The FACT is “The sun’s ultraviolet light causes the majority of skin cancers, but tanning beds emit ultraviolet light 15 times stronger than normal sunlight. So they are even more dangerous than sunlight.”

Myth 4: The higher the sun protection factor (SPF) in sunscreen, the safer your skin from UV rays. The FACT is “Yes and No. SPF measures your protection from UV-B rays (the ones believed to cause burning) but not from UV-A rays (believed to cause both burning and aging). Buying a sunscreen marked “broad spectrum,” which blocks both A and B rays is most important. SPF 30 protects you from 97 percent of the sun’s rays; SPF 50 from 98 percent. The problem is that people don’t apply enough. It takes one ounce or a golf-ball size amount to cover your entire body.” Don’t forget to reapply generously sun protection lotion after you exit a pool or body of water or shower when remaining in the sun, especially during the mid-day sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Myth 5: Sunscreen is all you need to protect your skin. The FACT is “Sunscreen is only one of several key ways to protect your skin. Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves and long pants, a hat with a brim and UV-light-blocking sunglasses. Some clothes treated with sun-protective dye have an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating on their sale tags.”

Myth 6: Sunscreen chemicals are harmful. The FACT is “The amount of absorption is small. Every summer weekend, tens of millions use sunscreen, and we’re not seeing any issues related to its use.”

Myth 7: Age and skin cancer go hand-in-hand. The FACT is “The older you are, the greater your risk, but in the last ten years, we’ve been seeing teens, especially young women. That’s probably due to tanning beds. I call them ‘tanning coffins.’”

Myth 8: You have no skin cancer risk in winter, or cloudy days, or if you’re an indoor person. The FACT is “Whenever you’re outdoors, you get some exposure to ultraviolet rays. There are lots of benefits of being outdoors like exercise and fresh air. Just don’t lie in the sun to bake.” If hiking or snow skiing, protection is also warranted especially when at upper elevations and when closer to spring’s sun strength.

Myth 9: Sun won’t harm you if you are in a car. The FACT is “UV-B rays don’t go through glass so you get some protection. But UV-A rays do, so you can get some photoaging (skin damage) over time.” This is another reason for wearing sunscreen even when you are simply out for a car ride.

Myth 10: Skin cancers aren’t deadly. The FACT is “Ten thousand Americans will die this year of melanoma. And if you don’t treat squamous skin cancer, you can die, although that’s rare. Guarding your skin protects your health — and your life.”

Up next – Part 2: Future Risks for Skin Cancer Patients and Testimonials from Residents: Joe Loughlin, Joan Souchek, a Niles friend, and Joanie Koplos.

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