76 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • MAY 2018
PRESS HEALTH
SKIN CANCER:
OUT OF THE SHADOWS
Many Long Islanders are thrilled to
shed their winter layers and spend
warm, carefree days poolside, on
the boat, or at the beach – but that’s
what makes them so susceptible to
skin cancer.
During that fun in the sun,
remember to protect your skin—
your body’s largest organ—from
UV or ultraviolet exposure, experts
warn.
Become better educated on skin
cancer facts and prevention.
BEST DEFENSE
Consistent, daily sunscreen use
reduces risk of melanoma by 50
percent, according to the New Yorkbased
Skin Cancer Foundation. Use
sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher
that is labeled “broad-spectrum.”
Apply to dry skin 15 to 30 minutes
before going outdoors; reapply .
BEWARE THE
VARIATIONS
“Basal cell carcinoma is the
most common and least serious;
treatment is simple,” says Dr. Rajiv
Datta, chair of the Department of
Surgery, director of the Division
of Surgical Oncology and Head
and Neck Surgery, and medical
director of Gertrude & Louis Feil
Cancer Center at South Nassau
Communities Hospital.
“Squamous cell is a little more
serious,” he notes, but the outcome
is typically positive. “Melanoma is
very serious.”
It can spread to other organs,
including the lymph nodes.
“All three skin cancers are related to
sun exposure,” he says.
RISK FACTORS
“It is true that people with really
light skin, freckles and light hair are
more susceptible, as they have less
of the skin pigment melanin in their
skin cells,” Dr. Datta says.
AVOID TANNING BEDS
The New York State Department of
Health bans the use of tanning beds
for individuals under 18 years old.
Still, “the tanning bed remains a
huge problem,” says, Dr. Abraham
Abittan of Comprehensive
Dermatology in Woodmere. “It
induces a tan by utilizing UVA,
which absorbs much deeper into
the skin and has much more of a
carcinogenic potential than UVB.”
LIMIT SUN EXPOSURE
“It breaks down the collagen
and elastic layers of the skin and
increases the rate of duplication of
skin cells that can cause precancers
of the skin,” explains Dr. Abittan.
“Chronically sun-damaged skin
will be atrophic, dry and more
translucent than normal skin.”
GET SCREENED
REGULARLY
“Unless you do a total body exam,
there’s no way of knowing,”
says Dr. Michael Dannenberg
of Dermatology Associates of
Huntington, PC in Huntington,
who is affiliated with Huntington
Hospital and other medical centers.
Adults should be seen annually, he
says.
ABCS OF SUNSAFE
SKINCARE
Avoid direct sunlight between
10 a.m. and 4 p.m. That’s when
the sun’s rays are the most intense.
Clouds do not block most UV rays.
Keep extra sunblock in your
purse, briefcase or backpack. Use
it for quick application to the face
and neck if you take a last-minute
walk or grab a bite outdoors.
Wear makeup with SPF. While
it won’t replace sunscreen,
added protection is always good,
especially for morning errands.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat. Hats
are fun, fashionable and more
importantly, help protect your
head, eyes, face, ears and neck from
damaging rays. Choose one that is
lightweight yet tightly woven.
Wear sunglasses. Damage from
the sun’s UV rays causes up to
20 percent of cataracts cases,
according to the World Health
Organization. Extended sun
exposure can cause eye cancer.
Achieve style and protection with
close-fitting, wraparound frames.
“If young children have a lot of
moles, absolutely bring them in for
a baseline exam,” he advises. The
qualities of the mole — size, color —
should be recorded and monitored.
Teenagers should also be seen for a
baseline evaluation.
KNOW THE SIGNS
“Any single mole should be fairly
homogeneous in color,” says Dr.
Dannenberg. “If you have multiple
colors within a single mole...
if its diameter is greater than 6
millimeters or larger than a pencil,
it absolutely needs to be evaluated.”
Any new spots, lingering sores,
rough or scaly red patches that
crust or bleed, and raised growths
or lumps should be addressed,
according to the Skin Cancer
Foundation.
By MICHELLE GABRIELLE CENTAMORE