www.chillicothegazette.com
BY JANET VOINOVICH
Shield your skin for a healthy tomorrow
As summer approaches, George and I can't help but think about how much we love the outdoors. After a long, cold winter, we can't wait to get outside into the sunshine to enjoy the natural beauty of Ohio and breathe in the fresh air. This passion for healthy living also means doing everything possible to protect ourselves and our family from skin cancer - especially during the warm summer months.
Studies have shown people are more worried about getting cancer than diseases like Alzheimer's and diabetes. Surprisingly, however, they don't realize many of the deadliest skin cancers can be prevented or detected early.
Raising awareness is quite possibly the most important thing we can do to prevent skin cancer. That is why we've designated May as Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month.
Today, skin cancer is the most common and fastest growing form of cancer in the United States and it affects more than one million people each year. One person dies every hour from melanoma, the deadliest form of the disease. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 2,390 new cases of melanoma in Ohio this year. Sadly, many of these cancers could have been prevented.
Skin cancer doesn't discriminate - it attacks people of all ages. In fact, kids are the most vulnerable among us. Why? Though most incidences of skin cancer are diagnosed when people are older than 50, the damage that causes skin cancer is done at an early age. Just one blistering sunburn can double a child's lifetime risk of developing skin cancer. That's why it is especially important that we teach them early to make healthy choices. Teach your children and grandchildren that putting on sunscreen should be as routine as wearing a bike helmet or a seatbelt.
Teens should also be wary of the sun. The temptation to get that bronzed tan look is enormous, especially during prom and beach season. But as dermatologist Dr. Sandra Read cautions, "No tan is a healthy tan."
Tanning beds are not a safe alternative. Studies have shown indoor tanning increases your risk for skin cancers, including melanoma. Parents and guardians should be wary of their children's usage of tanning beds. Instead, consider using safe bronzing products if teens "must have" that natural-looking glow.
Adults and seniors also need to stay vigilant. Seek shade, wear sunblock - this includes lotion, lip balm with SPF protection, sunglasses and protective clothing - and get screened by your health care professional for abnormal lesions. You can also check your own skin monthly and have someone check areas you can't see. Here's what to look out for: brown or black irregularly pigmented spots with uneven margins; a slow-growing, raised, translucent, pearly nodule that may crust, ulcerate or bleed; a change in sensation, itchiness, tenderness or pain from a mole; a small, smooth, shiny, pale or waxy lump on the skin; and any new moles that may appear.
Finally, remember this: family history is a leading risk factor for developing skin cancer. Be sure to tell your health professional if someone in your family has been diagnosed. Your doctor may recommend more frequent screenings.
The bottom line is that skin cancer is often preventable, and you don't have to cut back on outdoor fun if you protect yourself. So please keep these tips in mind as you pack the picnic basket, Frisbee or swimsuit this summer. Then go out there and enjoy our beautiful state and all it has to offer.
(Janet Voinovich is the wife of Sen. George V. Voinovich, R-Ohio, and is a member of Congressional Families Action for Cancer Awareness, a program of the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation)
