Op Ed by Mrs. Carolyn Berry

Summertime is not just around the corner. It has arrived! With it comes longer days, lighter clothing and more time spent outdoors. As an advocate for healthy living I’m definitely in favor of fresh air and exercise.  However, I have become aware that I need to take steps to protect myself and my family from harmful sun exposure and I urge you to do the same. Studies have shown that people are more worried about getting cancer than diseases like Alzheimer’s and diabetes, yet, surprisingly, they don’t realize that many of the deadliest cancers can be prevented when detected early.

May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. Today, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Unfortunately, it is also the fastest growing cancer, affecting more than 1 million people each year. One person dies every hour from melanoma, the deadliest form of the disease. The American Cancer Society estimates that in the state of Arkansas, there will be 550 new cases of melanoma this year. And, the fact is, many of these cancers could have been prevented.

 We need to protect ourselves no matter what our age but kids are the most vulnerable to the harmful effects of the sun. That's why it’s especially important to teach them how to make healthy choices from an early age. As a parent or grandparent, teach them the good habit of putting sunscreen on, just as you would teach them to wear a seatbelt. Though most incidences of skin cancer are diagnosed when people are older than 50, the most damage due to skin cancer happens at an early age. Just one blistering sunburn can double a child’s lifetime risk of developing skin cancer.

Teens should also be wary of the sun, as well as tanning beds. The temptation to get that bronzed tan look is enormous, especially during prom or beach season. But as dermatologist Dr. Sandra Read cautions, “no tan is a healthy tan.” Parents and guardians should be wary of their children’s usage of tanning beds. Instead, consider bronzing products as a safer alternative if teens “must have” that natural looking glow.

Adults and seniors should also stay vigilant. Many of us not only play outside, but work outside too. The men and boys in my family have spent many hours working in the sun. I am also in my yard or garden until the August heat finally drives me indoors during the heat of the day. We must all remember to take extra precautions with hats, light weight clothing, and sunscreen reapplied every few hours.  

Seek shade, wear sunblock and get screened by your healthcare professional. Also be sure to check your own skin monthly and have someone check areas you can’t see. Be sure to look 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

Any new mole

Think of the ABCDE rule: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color that is not uniform, Diameter greater than 6 millimeters – about the size of a pencil, and Elevation differences.

And know this: a family history of skin cancer raises the risk for skin cancer for all members of the family. Be sure to tell your health professional if someone in your family is diagnosed. He or she may recommend more frequent screenings.

The bottom line is that skin cancer is often preventable. So please keep these tips in mind as you pack for the camping trip, head for the ball field, or while at the pool, river or lake. Working or playing in the sun is an Arkansas way of life and can be done safely. Enjoy!