Golfers at Greater Risk for Skin Cancer
Online, April 1, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Approximately one million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year, and since golfers spend a significant amount of time in the sun, they are at a greater risk than the general public for developing skin cancer" according to Sun SafeTee Board member Curt Littler, MD.
With May being Skin Cancer Awareness Month, it is good time for golfers to learn how to protect themselves in the sun and to schedule an exam to see what sun damage they may have incurred.
"The good news is that many forms of skin cancer when caught early can be curable," says Dr. Littler, a Board Certified Dermatologist, and son of U.S. Open Champion Gene Littler. "Being knowledgeable and doing a self-exam and/or visiting a Dermatologist can dramatically increase the likelihood of early detection and successful treatment. Education is the key to both preventing skin cancer and for getting timely treatment."
The Sun SafeTee Program suggests that golfers should always use sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 and one that has broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) coverage. Since many sunscreens only last for two hours, the motto of The Sun SafeTee Program is "Don't burn...Reapply at the turn". A long sleeve shirt, long pants and a wide brimmed hat also are valuable sun protection tools.
"It is very common among golf professionals and long time golfers, to have been diagnosed with skin cancer (or precancerous lesions) or to know someone who has," says Sun SafeTee Founder Mark Wishner. With proper education and adopting appropriate sun protection strategies, that phenomenon can change. We are about education, not fear"
The Sun SafeTee Program is a 501(c)(3) non-profit sun protection and skin cancer awareness program designed specifically for the golf community. The program provides educational seminars to golf professionals and the public, distributes sun protection information and sunscreen samples at various golf events. The organization focuses on Junior and Collegiate golfers and is a partner with The Golf Coaches Association of America and The National Golf Coaches Association.