Remember Your Hat and Sunscreen When Heading to the Greens
With Dr. Brian Knutson, dermatologist at Avera Dermatology and Laser in Sioux Falls
Skin cancer warnings are often aimed at sunbathers - are golfers also at risk?
Anyone who is exposed to UV light, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., is at increased risk of skin cancer. Golfers can be at risk because of their prolonged exposure to the day's most intense sunlight, considering that a round of golf takes four or more hours and preferred tee times are generally mid-morning. A golfer who tees off at 10 a.m. will be exposed to the day's most powerful UV rays.
It seems we're hearing a lot more about skin cancer. Is the risk increasing, or is awareness higher?
Both. We're spending more time outdoors doing activities that expose us to the sun. But we're also more aware of skin cancer and thus many people are examining their own skin, which increases the chance of self-detection of skin cancer.
How can I reconcile prime golfing hours with recommendations to stay out of the sun during midday?
First, try to get that earlier or later tee time. If you have to be outdoors during the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., use sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 that is UVA and UVB protective. Wear sun-protective clothing, which is superior to sunscreen. Choose a hat that not only covers your forehead and parts of the face, but also your ears and the back of your neck. Sunglasses are important, because UV light can also increase your risk of skin cancer around the eye, including melanoma of the eye.
If I apply plenty of sunscreen before I tee off, am I good to go?
Sunscreen will wear off through perspiration, and will chemically break down due to the effects of the environment. So reapply sunscreen every two hours. Some newer products are intended to increase that time, but it's best to be safe and use the two-hour rule of thumb. I would recommend putting sunscreen on for the front nine and again before the back nine.
Also make sure that sunscreen bottle in the bottom of your bag isn't too old. The FDA requires sunscreen to last three years. After that time, it can lose its effectiveness.
I'm already tan on my face and neck. Doesn't that protect me from sun damage?
A tan gives you an SPF of about 2, so that doesn't give you enough protection to significantly decrease your risk of skin cancer.
I notice UV advisories as part of weather reports. What do these mean?
These reports give you an idea of the intensity of UV rays on a scale of 1 to 11+. Any UV index over 5 will present a higher risk of sunburn and sun damage. Be sure to take extra precautions if UV index will be 8 or above.
What form of skin cancer are golfers most prone to develop?
The most common skin cancers, which also tend to be most closely associated with sun exposure, are the non-melanoma cancers, such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma, however, is one of the most dangerous and most likely to spread.
What parts of the body are most likely to be affected?
Sun-exposed areas such as the face, arms, upper chest, upper back and legs for those who commonly wear shorts.
What types of spots on my skin should concern me?
Anything that's growing, bleeding and not healing is suspicious, particularly if it's been present for more than two months. Melanoma tends to be an irregularly shaped mole with irregular colors and an asymmetric appearance.
If non-melanoma cancers aren't that serious, what's the advantage of catching them early?
Catching skin cancer early minimizes the tissue that must be removed to remove the cancer, and reduces the risk, albeit small, that non-melanoma skin cancer might spread. Melanoma is particularly important to remove early because of its higher risk of spreading.
Aside from skin cancer, what other sun damage can take place?
Aging is strongly associated with accumulated sun damage over time. Examples of the aging process include increased wrinkling and background redness.
Learn more about skin cancer and other health topics by clicking on "Health Library" in the upper right corner on Avera McKennan's website. Or, go to www.AveraDermatology.org.
