News & Health

Mans back with sunscreen in the design of the sun

Doctors Get Skin Cancer Too

Daniel Sterner
By Daniel Sterner

When I was in my late 20s, I noticed a mole on my calf was changing. It looked bigger, more irregular and the center was more red than the edge. I had graduated medical school a few months prior, and I was confident that the mole needed biopsied. Sure enough, the biopsy results showed a precancerous lesion. Years of ignoring my mother’s warnings as a teenager and an adult had come back to haunt me. I am still surprised and saddened that I already have to worry about skin cancer.

As a pasty, white ginger, my skin burns easily. The moon could probably give me a tan. Unfortunately, my past is catching up to me. If I had worn a hat regularly and been better about wearing sunscreen, it’s possible I wouldn’t already be getting skin biopsies and needing regular skin checks. Due to my history of sun exposure, I will be battling skin cancer for the rest of my life. It is too late for me, but maybe not for you.

Please learn from my mistakes. Wear a hat. There are very few things more effective in protecting your skin than a simple hat. Most skin cancers are in sun-exposed areas. The hardest skin cancers to remove are often in areas like the nose or ears. A simple hat could prevent so much damage and heart ache. I always feel sad for my patients who have a piece of their face cut off to remove a life-threatening cancer. Long sleeve shirts and pants also effectively protect the skin. That may sound hot, but if you dampen them with water, you will be much cooler than shorts and a T shirt.

Sunscreen can be used when a hat and long sleeves are not ideal, like swimming. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, an SPF of 30 blocks at least 97% of UVB rays. UVB rays are the rays that typically cause sunburns and contribute to skin cancer. Higher SPF products offer slightly better protection. SPF 50 blocks 98%, while SPF 100 blocks 99% of UVB rays. Be careful where you swim with sunscreen as some products can cause harm to marine life and coral.

Since we are in Idaho, we also need to be aware of sunburns during the winter. Snow is a great mirror. The worst sunburn I can remember happened when I went sledding as a kid. Why would I need sunscreen to go sledding? Who puts a hat on over a beanie? Well if I had done something to protect myself I wouldn’t have looked like a tomato for over a week in January. Strangest tan I’ve ever had.

Now I’m older and wiser. I wear hats and sunscreen regularly to avoid making my risk worse. I hound my kids regularly to do the same. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. It affects all races and becomes more common with age. Check your body regularly for suspicious moles. A mole is suspicious if it is asymmetric, changes its appearance, has an irregular color, has an irregular border, or is bigger than a pencil’s eraser. The general rule is if you have a mole that is different from your other moles, an “ugly duckling” mole, you should have it looked at by a trained professional. The quicker skin cancer is diagnosed the easier it is to remove. Putting off getting an odd mole checked could have life altering consequences.

Biopsies and treatments are no fun. No one wants their face cut up to save their life. No one wants to die of skin cancer either. As one of my favorite sayings goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Being outside is healthy and good for the soul, but as always stay safe.

– Dr. Daniel Sterner, DO is a provider at Health West American Falls. He specializes in family medicine and obstetrical care and is accepting new patients.

 

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