‘Sun-kissed’ glow a deadly affair
Prolonged exposure to outdoor rays can put people at higher risk for melanoma, experts say
That highly coveted ‘sun-kissed’ glow can actually be the kiss of death.
Melanoma Awareness Month just wrapped up but we need to up our safe sun practices all year round. In Canada, nearly 7,000 melanoma cases were diagnosed in 2016 — 1,200 died from it. It’s on the upswing, one of the most common cancers in youth ages 15 to 29 and the most aggressive skin cancer if not caught early.
Be smart about the sunny days of summer. “None of us expects to get cancer, let alone having something so small as a mole end your life,” says Annette Cyr, three-time melanoma survivor and founder of the Melanoma Network of Canada.
A tan is simply not healthy for our skin, says Cyr.
“Aside from premature aging of the skin, we have seen a threefold increase in the numbers of melanomas in the last 30 years. There is also an alarming rise in the number of skin cancers like basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. A lot of young people in their 20s or 30s are dying of a disease that may have been prevented.”
When in doubt, take it out: “If you have a mole that is troubling and you are not sure, ask for a biopsy,” says Cyr, of Melanomanetwork.ca. “Over half of initial melanoma is caught by the patient or by a family member. Make sure to check yourself monthly and take a photo on your phone to track any changes in your mole. Melanoma is very treatable if caught early.”
Windsor, Ont., resident Anita Dimambro suffers guilt over ignoring a mole. “I often question how I could have missed the mole. This mole was speaking to me. I have guilt, I should have known. I feel strongly about the lack of awareness and information about melanoma ...
“I feel like it isn’t a popular or feared cancer,” yet it should be, argues Dimambro, a marathon runner, spinning teacher and mother of three kids who was diagnosed with melanoma two years ago at age 40. She ignored a mole on her back, which was rubbing against her sports bra. The results from the biopsy: Stage II malignant melanoma.
“I was aware of this mole for over a year. I didn’t know what melanoma was and how dangerous it could be,” she adds. Following surgery, she was treated with high-dose interferon, a biological therapy that became part of her weekday regime for 20 sessions. Further treatment was ended early because of immense weight loss. She is still feeling the residual effects of treatments.
“During chemo, I craved the opportunity to lace up my runners and just go, escaping my thoughts. Today I’m still not ready for those runs but I can walk. As chairperson for the Strides for Melanoma in Windsor, I’m convinced that if I keep moving, melanoma won’t have an address within me.”
I was aware of this mole for over a year. I didn’t know what melanoma was and how dangerous it could be.” Anita, Windsor, Ont.