May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and with Memorial Day right around the corner marking the start of sunny summer days, skin cancer prevention should be high on our radar. That was the message delivered during a lunch yesterday at Culinariane sponsored by Clara Maas Medical Center (CMMC) Foundation. The first event of an on-going women’s health series, the focus was on healthy skin, rather than Culinariane’s healthy cooking.
As one who has never shunned the sun, I was shocked to hear from guest speaker Ross Zbar, MD, FACS, that not only is skin cancer is the most common cancer, most of us will likely have some form of it at one point. The good news is that skin cancer is easily preventable, and for the most part easily curable. Still, a fact hard to swallow, during our gourmet meal.
As in all cancers, early detection and treatment is key. The doctor’s slide show included several graphic images of what skin cancer looks like — blotchy marks, moles, lesions and such – not a pretty sight. Better though, to know what to look for. His point: look for changes in color, shape and size of marks on your skin and get it checked out pronto!
Skin cancer doesn’t discriminate by age or gender, said Dr. Zbar, although as you age, your immune system weakens. Among the risk factors, first on the list is exposure — and you’d have to be crazy to risk plunking yourself down on a tanning bed. That’s as dangerous as smoking, he says. Some people have a genetic predisposition, and those with weakened immune systems from smoking, transplants and chemotherapy are also at higher risk.
Yes, it all sounded pretty scary – talking about surgical removal and reconstruction, I was ready to run out to CVS to get bucket loads of sun block for me and the family. Forget about tanning? We do need our vitamin D, so the good doc recommends we take that cafe table in the shade, dive under the beach umbrella, don brimmed hats and sunglasses — then slather away, every two hours, all day.
For info on future events, contact Clara Maas Community Outreach.
The Montclair Health Department is hosting a free Skin Cancer Screening on Friday, June 8 from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Have a spot that is of concern? Want a full body check? Come have a dermatologist take a look. An appointment is required; call 973-509-4969.
