Skin cancer protection and awareness

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Many of us are aware of the value of sun protection in the fight against skin cancer, but we often fail to realize the gravity of this potentially deadly disease. Every 65 minutes someone in the U.S. dies of melanoma, an astounding statistic for a disease which is nearly 100 percent curable when caught and treated early.

The incidence of skin cancer is increasing every year and at the current rate, one in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer over the course of their lives. Sun protection alone is not enough to keep us safe. That's why Olay and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) have partnered for "Skin Cancer Takes Friends," a nationwide program offering women the opportunity make an appointment with one of more than 300 participating dermatologists nationwide for a free screening for themselves and a friend or loved one  so they can go together. Marcia Cross is the national spokesperson of this campaign; the Web site: www.skincancertakesfriends.com.

Fourteen dermatologists in the Chicago-area are participating.

Sun-Smart Cities Ranked By New Survey

Most Americans are familiar with the popular city rankings of the fattest cities, the fittest cities, the most livable cities and the most expensive cities. Now, in the first-of-its-kind survey, the American Academy of Dermatology has identified the cities that take sun protection seriously and those that fail to make the grade despite repeated health warnings.

The "RAYS: Your Grade" survey polled adults in 32 U.S. metropolitan regions spanning 29 states on their knowledge, attitudes and behaviors toward tanning and sun protection. Cities were then ranked based on the percentage of people who scored A's and B's.

Of the 32 cities and states ranked on their percentage of A and B grades, Washington, DC, was ranked No. 1, with 47 percent of its residents receiving A's and B's, followed closely by New York City which earned the No. 2 ranking. Dr. Baker also observed that Miami, Tampa and Los Angeles - each noted for year-round sunny weather - rounded out the top five rankings.

At the other end of the sun-smart spectrum, Chicago was ranked last of the 32 cities polled, earning the designation of the least sun-smart city and demonstrating the need for increased efforts to educate residents on the dangers of sun exposure. In this case, only 21 percent of Chicagoans received A's and B's on their tanning and sun protection knowledge, attitudes and behaviors.

Chicago ranked significantly lower than average when residents' responses to 10 of the survey questions were examined. For example, Chicagoans' laissez-faire attitudes toward sun protection were evident when comparing their answers about how much they worry about sun exposure to adults in other cities.

When asked if they agree or disagree with the statement "I prefer to enjoy sunshine and not worry about what I should do to protect myself from it," 41 percent of Chicago respondents agreed, representing the highest number of respondents across all cities and 10 percentage points higher than the average of 31 percent. Similarly, approximately half of Chicagoans (49 percent) agreed with the statement "Given my skin type, I don't worry too much about sun exposure" - far exceeding the 37 percent of all adults who agreed with this statement.

In addition, a high proportion of Chicagoans (40 percent) felt that the climate in which they live was a reason why they were not that worried about skin cancer - implying that somehow their short period of sun exposure during the summer months could not cause enough damage to their skin to develop skin cancer.

The rankings of the 32 metropolitan areas are as follows:
No. 1 - Washington, DC
No. 2 - New York City
No. 3 - Miami
No. 4 - Tampa
No. 5 - Los Angeles
No. 30 - Pittsburgh
No. 31 - Maine
No. 32 - Chicago

SKIN CANCER FACTS: Found on www.olay.com.

 

The average woman gets a total of 18 hours of sun exposure a week, yet less than 20% of women use daily UV protection to guard against the effects of this "on-the-go" sun exposure. Why is this? The answer is not surprising: TIME or lack thereof. But another reason is that in large part, most women don't know how to select a moisturizer with SPF that is light enough for them to use every day.

 

One person dies every hour from skin cancer.

 

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer.

 

Skin cancer in women under 40 has tripled in the past 30 years.

 

Five sunburns double a woman's chance of getting skin cancer.

 

UV exposure at tanning salons is just as risky as sunbathing outside.

 

People with fair skin that burns rather than tans, people with red hair and people with blue eyes are at greater risk of developing skin cancer.

 

People who have many (extensive) freckles on their upper back are at a greater risk of developing skin cancer.

 

People who have a history of sunburns, especially during childhood, are at a greater risk.

 

The depletion of the ozone layer may be significantly affecting the incidence of melanoma.

 

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and exposure at high altitudes are the most dangerous times to be exposed to the sun.

 

Those with an impaired immune system, especially those who have had an organ transplant, leukemia or lymphoma, are at a greater risk of melanoma.

 

According to one study, the use of a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher during the first 18 years of life would cut lifetime risk of melanoma by 78%.

THE A, B, C, D & E's OF SKIN CANCER - How to Get Screened (and what to look for yourself): Found on www.skincancertakesfriends.org.

Most of the spots on your skin, freckles, birthmarks, moles, are normal, but some may be more susceptible to skin cancers.

There are three main types of skin cancers:

 

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

 

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

 

Melanoma

Melanoma is the third most common form of skin cancer and the most deadly. Fortunately, each of these can usually be discovered at an early stage when they are readily curable. If you ever spot any freckles, birthmarks, moles or other suspicious or changing growths, see your dermatologist promptly.

Learning how to check yourself for signs of skin cancer is the easiest and most important step in reducing your skin cancer risks.

Steps:

1. Stand in front of a mirror and check your entire body for moles, freckles, birthmarks or other unusual spots.

2. Use a hand mirror to check any hard-to-see places. Examine each one, and if you notice any showing any signs of the symptoms described below, contact your dermatologist and schedule a skin exam immediately.

 

Asymmetrical: Most early melanomas are asymmetrical, meaning a line through the middle would not create matching halves. Common moles are round and symmetrical.

 

Borders: The borders of early melanomas are often uneven and may have scalloped, notched and fuzzy edges. Common moles have smoother, more even borders.

 

Colors: Common moles usually are a single shade of brown. Varied shades of brown, tan or black can be the first sign of melanoma, and may progress to the colors red, white and blue.

 

Diameter: Early melanomas usually grow larger than common moles, generally to at least the size of a pencil eraser (about 6mm or ¼" in diameter).

 

Evolving: When a mole is evolving (changing), see a doctor. Be alert for any change in size, shape, color, elevation, bleeding, itching, crusting or any other trait, in an existing mole.

PRODUCT INFORMATION
Hats and sunglasses are among the products people can use to protect themselves from the sun. There are also several lotions that can help. Here's a list of a few suggestions:

Olay Complete Defense SPF 30 Daily UV Moisturizer:
Retails $13.49 at drugstores, supermarkets and online retailers

Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer gives your skin complete care, providing moisture plus light non-greasy UVA/UVB SPF 30 sunscreen.

Moisturizes and Protects: SPF 30 provides extra UV protection against 97% of the sun's harmful rays to help skin stay healthy and younger looking

The non-greasy formula with Vitamin E, Aloe and Green Tea Extract replenishes moisture and absorbs quickly into skin. Light enough to wear every day

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock SPF 30 and SPF 45:
Retails $9.99 at drugstores, supermarkets and online retailers

Neutrogena has developed a breakthrough new sun protection technology complex called Helioplex, specifically engineered to deliver very high, very broad and photo-stable UV protection.

Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB

Cools and revives skin on contact, the one touch continuous spray works at any angle

Non-comedogenic (won't clog pores), with lightweight formula absorbs quickly - no need to rub

Waterproof, sweatproof, resists running into eyes.

DDF Organic Sun Protection" SPF 30:
Retails $30

For Sensitive Skin

Super Antioxidant Complex

Oil & Fragrance-Free

Remergent High Intensity SPF 30
 

UVA/UVB sunscreen intended for those leading an active lifestyle or otherwise spending extended time outdoors

Potent protection-and-correction formula with broad-spectrum filters curbs UV damage and revitalizes the appearance of sun-exposed skin.

Patented liposome delivery system encapsulates key ingredients in microscopic spheres, which are engineered to deliver maximum benefit at the cellular level.

A two-pronged strategy for the ultimate defense against photo-damage harnessing the best of two worlds: DNA repair technology and broad-spectrum sunscreen protection.

ABOUT DR. OMEED MEMAR:

Dr. Memar is an active Clinical Assistant Professor at Northwestern University, and medical director of Academic Dermatology & Skin Cancer Institute.

Dr. Memar is certified by the American Board of Dermatology. He is a fellow of the American Society for Mohs Surgery, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. He is a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.

He graduated from the "M.D.,Ph.D." program at the University of Texas Medical Branch. He then moved on to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he completed an internship, affording him a wide range of medical and surgical training, including extensive rotations in dermatology, dermato-pathology, and head & neck surgery. He next started his residency training in dermatology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he was trained by leaders in the field of dermatology, dermato-pathology, hair biology and dermatologic surgery.