SKIN CANCER


The Incidence of Skin Cancer is Growing at an Alarming Rate. Is your Lifetimes of Summers at the Beach Catching up to you?

SUN MAGAZINE
Palm Beach, FL, December 17, 2001 -- As the summer months approach, all too often people are simply warned to stay out of the sun. But think about it. Is that really practical advice?

"No," states Dr. Kenneth Beer, a board-certified dermatologist and dermapathologist in private practice in West Palm Beach, Florida who treats hundreds of patients a year for skin cancer. "Despite all the warnings and the health messages about how damaging the sun is, people still overexpose themselves. Sun exposure is the main cause of skin cancers because the ultraviolet rays damage DNA cells. The good news is that if detected early, skin cancer has a cure rate of more than ninety percent. The bottom line is that sun protection is still the best defense against skin cancer."

Skin Cancer Factoids Statistics show that skin cancer has the fastest growing incidence rate of all cancers. One person every hour dies from melanoma, and one or two blistering sunburns before age 18 will double the risk for developing skin cancer. Unfortunately, while most Americans are aware of the link between skin cancer and sun exposure, most are not taking the necessary steps to protect their skin - especially young adults. All of us are at risk - even the President who recently had four noncancerous lesions removed from his face. The reason? Years of baking in the sun!

"No matter what the statistics tell us, people will continue to enjoy the beach, family picnics, bike rides and all the other treasured activities that come with the fairer months. The key is to take the right precautions and enjoy outdoor activities in moderation. Proper protection is critical."

Here's a few Sun Safety Tips for keeping skin healthy to safely enjoy the sun:

* To keep skin hydrated, drink 10-12 glasses of water (drink at least three glasses prior to sun exposure) whenever you spend more than four hours in the sun.

* Whenever you're in the sun for more than one hour, it's important to take 5-minute "shade breaks" every half-hour so that your skin can relax and continue to generate moisture.

* Use a full-spectrum sunblock that contains Parsol 1789 or one that contains an SPF of at least 15. Sunscreen should be worn whether you spend the day at the pool or simply take a walk and should be reapplied every two hours.

* See your dermatologist once a year for a complete and thorough skin cancer screening. Log onto the American Academy of Dermatology's web site to check out local screenings in your area.

* Wear protective clothing, such as a long sleeve shirt and a wide-brimmed hat.

* Avoid the sun completely between 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Self-Assessment Quiz
Because some people are at higher risk than others, here are some important questions to ask yourself:

1-Have you had blistering sunburns before age 18?
2-Have you ever had a melanoma?
3-Have you had a brother, sister, parent or child with a melanoma?
4-Are you fair skinned and light colored eyes?
5-Do you have a lot of moles that are not symmetric and/or larger than a pencil eraser?

If you've answered "yes" to any of these questions, talk with your dermatologist about precautions and how self-exams can help reduce your risk of dying from a melanoma. Be your own health care advocate, perform self exams every month and ask for skin biopsies when a mole changes.

Cures/Treatments When skin cancers are found early in their development, the odds for more effective options for treatment and cure increases. "The first step is a biopsy which helps determine the best treatment depending on the size, location and type of skin cancer and how advanced the skin cancer is," adds Dr. Beer. "Mohs' micrographic surgery offers the highest cure rate and this very effective treatment is performed under local anesthesia and allows for minimal scarring."

Sun Safety Online Chat Dr. Beer will host an online chat on May 7, 2002, 4-5 p.m. (Eastern Time) Topics discussed: Sun safety tips, signs of skin cancer, how to prevent skin cancer Your readers are welcome to click onto www.palmbeachcosmetic.com