Dermatologist laments how sun-worshippers risk cancer

Though her best advice to minimize the risk of skin cancer is to "show your birthday suit to a dermatologist on your birthday," Dr. May Chow isn't surprised that 67 percent of Chicago residents never have been screened for skin cancer by a health care provider.
"No, no -- that statistic doesn't surprise me at all," says Chow, a dermatologist certified by the American Board of Dermatology and associated with WellGroup HealthPartners in Chicago Heights. "There's more awareness about the importance of preventing sun damage so many people know at least a little about the use of sunscreens and the need to wear protective clothing. Far fewer recognize the necessity to assess the sun damage that they unknowingly developed over previous years."
With skin cancer now on record as the world's most common cancer, Chow is quick to point out that the need to consider past sun exposure and damage has never been greater. "It's also one of the most preventable cancers," she adds.
In particular, the dermatologist wants the public to realize that a clean bill of health last year doesn't mean that adults are "free and clear" from what she calls the dangerous consequences of accumulated sun damage, including non-melanoma skin cancers and actinic keratosis (known as AK), a common pre-cancer that often develops in the form of a scaly or crusty bump on skin frequently exposed to the sun.
"The reality is that our skin has a memory, and it retains the carcinogenic effects of the sun over time. Past sun exposure can damage DNA and change the skin at the cellular level, leading to an increased skin cancer risk," she states.
The American Academy of Dermatology, headquartered in Schaumburg, recently noted these sobering facts:

• In 2009, it was estimated that 2,000 new cases of melanoma would be diagnosed in Illinois alone.
• More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year.
• One in five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer during his or her lifetime.
• One American dies of melanoma every 61 minutes.
• Melanoma is the most common cancer in ages 25 to 29, and the second most common cancer in ages 15 to 29.

Chow, a graduate of Northwestern University School of Medicine, urges people -- with help from a spouse, partner, significant other or family member -- to routinely evaluate their own skin by checking moles for changes in color and diameter.
"But the best way to get an accurate skin examination and evaluation is to have a dermatologist perform it. If there's a problem, a dermatologist can prescribe a treatment. For example, Zyclara [a topical cream for the face or balding scalp] is the newest FDA-approved medication to treat those who already have pre-cancer conditions," Chow says.
The five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads is 99 percent, according to the American Academy of Dermatology
Chow, in her "late 50s," warns against the use of tanning beds, stating, "I don't call it tanning. I call it radiation damage. Radiation destroys collagen -- that's why crow's feet on a 40-year-old who uses tanning beds look like crow's feet of a 60-year-old."
The dermatologist's advice for sunburn is to apply ice packs -- made by placing crushed ice in a plastic bag -- on the sunburn to cool the skin, repeatedly apply a general moisturizer, and drink plenty of water. "And any time you blister, see a dermatologist," she said.

Source:  http://www.suntimes.com