Bruno Griffin loves being in the sun, but he hasn’t been diligent about using sunscreen.
“I lived in Los Angeles for 17 years and was in the sun a lot,” he said. “I did triathlons.”
When the 57-year-old Bowling Green man found out the Kentucky Cancer Program was doing a free Dermascan screening, he decided to have his skin checked for sun damage.
“My age has a lot to do with it,” he said Wednesday after his screening at The Medical Center’s Health and Wellness Center at Greenwood Mall. “You have to be aware of more as you age.”
Dermascan uses ultraviolet light to show skin damage on the face that can’t be seen with the naked eye. It cannot diagnose skin cancer, KCP cancer control specialist Elizabeth Westbrook said.
“Skin damage is cumulative over a lifetime. A lot of it is done when people were children or adolescents,” she said. “The head, neck, face, hands and arms are where sun exposure occurs. We only use (Dermascan) on the face. We talk to people about where their sun damage is and areas to watch closer for change.”
According to the SunWise website at www.epa.gov/sunwise/statefacts.html, Warren County has the 17th highest melanoma death rate among counties nationwide - 81 percent above the national average from 2002-06. In Kentucky, 136 people die of melanoma every year. The commonwealth had the sixth highest melanoma death rate nationally from 2002 to 2006, 17 percent higher than the national average.
“A lot of skin cancer is caused by UV radiation from the sun. The earlier you catch it, the better,” Westbrook said. “If you notice any changes (on the skin), get it checked out.”
Westbrook said there are different types of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type and tends to grow more slowly. Squamous cell carcinoma is curable if caught early, but can sometimes spread to other body parts. The most dangerous type is malignant melanoma.
“It can arise out of an existing mole or can occur on the skin. It’s more dangerous in that it spreads more easily,” she said. “If someone has it, doctors have to go deeply to make sure they get all the cancer.”
Basal cell and squamous carcinomas can show up as new growths, shiny waxy lumps, growths that heal and reopen, sores that bleed or have a crust or scab or are rough, scaly or dry. Malignant melanoma areas have an uneven border.
“A normal mole has a smooth, defined edge. The color is uniform in color, a solid tan or brown. Most moles are the size of a pencil eraser or smaller,” Westbrook said. “Melanomas may have ragged or irregular edges and the pigment looks like it extends out beyond the growth. They may have mixed color. A larger mole may be a sign of melanoma. An increase in thickness is another concern.”
In order to prevent sun damage and ward off skin cancer, Westbrook encourages people to use a minimum SPF 15 sunscreen, apply sunscreen every two hours or more often if swimming or perspiring heavily, stay out of tanning beds and limit their time in the sun.
“Go out earlier or later in the day. The sun is most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Find shade,” she said. “Limit your time in the sun and wear protective clothing - sunglasses that block 100 percent UV radiation and hats. Men have to watch sun exposed areas like balding spots and ears.”
People should also keep babies under 6 months old out of the sun and gradually introduce them to the sun as they get older while still limiting their time outside.
“The most damage occurs in the first 18 years of life,” Westbrook said. “This is where somebody can make a difference.”
Shielded by a short curtain and enveloped in a dark purplish glow given by the ultraviolet light, Griffin peered into a mirror as Susan Brown, a registered nurse who is a KCP cancer control specialist, pinpointed different areas - including his forehead and ears - where there was noticeable sun damage and gave him advice on how to prevent more.
“I’ll try to be more religious about sunscreen,” Griffin said. “I’ll have to put it somewhere I can’t ignore it, like on the bathroom counter.”
Pat Pearson had never had a Dermascan before, but she was ready to see her damage Wednesday.
“This thing’s going to go off,” she joked before sitting and placing her upper body behind the curtain.
Pearson had areas on her cheeks, eyelids and lips. She said she knew she would have some sun damage, but was surprised by the extent of it.
“I’ve been out in the sun my whole life,” she said. “When I’m just outside working in the yard, I’m not as conscientious about putting sunscreen.”
Pearson said she plans to combat the sun by using sunscreen regularly and wearing a hat. She was happy to use Dermascan to help protect her skin.
“It’s a great service offering at no cost,” she said. “Why not take advantage of it?”
