Skin Cancer: Raising Awareness: Sun is Fun, but Dangerous

An estimated 11,000 Americans will die from skin cancer this year, but people still often are not aware of how dangerous it can be.

"I know a lot of people who’ve had skin cancer who don’t really consider themselves cancer survivors," said Cindy Bushnell, community manager for health initiatives at Tulsa’s American Cancer Society. "But like any other cancer, it can kill you."

Traci Stackhouse, 37, knows too well how serious skin cancer can be.

"I’ve had it twice, two years apart," she said. Both were melanomas, and the second time was the most serious as it was advanced and metastatic, meaning it was ready to spread to other parts of the body.

"It was a spot behind the knee the size of a pencil tip," Stackhouse said.

Even her doctor did not think much of it because it did not look like the typical melanoma, she said. But she was concerned, so he biopsied the spot.

When the results came back, he sent her to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for treatment.

"The doctor said, ‘You are a perfect example of why we need to listen to our patients,’

" Stackhouse said.

After lymph node biopsies, cancer removal surgery and interferon chemotherapy, Stackhouse will celebrate three years of being cancer-free on May 15.

"I was lucky they got everything. I’m clear and doing well," she said. But she admits she probably got the cancer from the tanning bed.

"The best thing to do is avoid the sun and tanning beds," Stackhouse said.

Now is the time to start thinking about limiting time in the sun as summer approaches and people spend more time outside.

"We all love our sunshine," Bushnell said.

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common forms of skin cancer, she said. Those typically can be removed and no further treatment is needed.

"But if you don’t have those checked out and let them go, they can still spread and be fatal," Bushnell said.

Melanoma is the more deadly, less common form of skin cancer, she said.

"It grows faster, and it’s becoming more common, especially in younger kids," Bushnell said.

More than 1 million cases of basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer and nearly 60,000 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, according to the American Cancer Society.

Most deaths from skin cancer are attributed to melanoma, the society said.

"For the most part, we need to make people aware that it’s out there and we need to pay attention to our skin," Bushnell said. "Each person knows their body best. You’re your own best advocate."

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Kim Archer 581-8315 kim.archer@tulsaworld.com

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Free screening

A free melanoma skin cancer screening will be held from 8 to 11:15 a.m. May 12 at SouthCrest Medical Plaza, 8803 S. 101st East Ave.

The event will be held at the first-floor Surgicenter at the plaza building, which is adjacent to SouthCrest Hospital, 91st Street and U.S. 169.

Tulsa-area dermatologists will provide brief full-body skin examinations to the public at no charge. However, appointments are required. Dermatologists ask that you wear loose-fitting clothing and no makeup of any kind.

The clinic is for skin cancer only. Other dermatology problems and questions will not be discussed.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 477-5404 or (888) 376- 1725.

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What to know

Melanoma risk factors

–Light skin color

–Family or personal history of skin cancer

–Presence of atypical moles and freckles

–History of severe sunburn occurring early in life.

Skin cancer prevention tips

–Seek the shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

–Do not burn.

–Avoid tanning and ultraviolet tanning booths.

–Use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher every day.

–Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) total of sunscreen to all exposed areas 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.

–Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.

–Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of 6 months.

–Examine your skin from head to toe every month.

–See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

Source: Skin Cancer Foundation