May 2008 Newsletter
May is Melanoma Awareness Month!
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and can be caused by excessive UV ray exposure. Melanoma is responsible for only about 5% of all skin cancer cases; however melanoma is responsible for 74% of all skin cancer related deaths. This is why it is so important to be aware of your risk for developing melanoma and the steps that you can take to prevent its development.
What is my risk of developing melanoma? People who live in areas of strong sunlight or spend a large amount of time outdoors are at risk for developing melanoma. Other risk factors can also put you at risk, including: personal or family history, fair complexion, red hair, freckling, severe childhood sunburns, and large pigmented skin blemishes. While Caucasians are more susceptible to melanoma African Americans are still at risk. Also, certain medications can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, such as antibiotics; blood pressure, arthritis, and depression medications; and skin treatments.
Prevention is the key! There are several ways you can reduce your risk of melanoma.
· Limit your time in the sun between 10AM and 4PM, when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.
· Use a sunscreen that blocks both UV-A and UV-B rays with at least SPF 15, even on cloudy days. Apply the sunscreen at least 15 to 30 minutes prior to sun exposure.
· Apply sunscreen to children 6 months old.
· Babies younger than 6 months should be kept out of the sun as much as possible.
· Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, especially after swimming or sweating, even if it is waterproof sunscreen.
· Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
· Tightly woven, dark-colored fabrics provide more protection.
· Wear a 4-inch wide, broad brimmed hat, sunglasses with 100% UV protection, and lip balm with SPF 15.
· Wear sunscreen after a fresh snowfall. Snow can reflect 90% of the sun’s rays.
Check yourself for moles! Monitoring your existing and newly occurring moles is important in the fight against melanoma. Here are the ABCD’s of what to look for.
· A – Asymmetry. Cancerous moles are typically irregular in shape.
· B – Border. Ragged, notched, or uneven borders can be signs of melanoma.
· C – Color. Melanoma lesions often have several shades of brown or black, whereas benign moles have a uniform color.
· D – Diameter. If the blemish is greater than the size of a pencil eraser (5 mm), it may be melanoma.
· E – Evolution. Look out for changes in shape or size.
Participate in the free screenings many hospitals are providing this month! This list will tell you when and where free screenings will be held in the area. Some places may ask that you give them advance notice to be seen, so call the corresponding contact number to find out!
· Mon, May 5th, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 617-525-7008
· Mon, May 5th, Boston VA Healthcare System, 857-364-4757
· Tue, May 6th, Emerson Hosp, 978-287-3085
· Mon, May 12th, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, 800-488-5959
· Thu, May 15th, South Shore Hospital, 781-340-3756
· Thu, May 15th, Mass General Hospital, 617-726-1869
· Wed, May 21st, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, 617-243-6792
· Sat, May 31st, Lahey Clinic; 781-744-8979
· Thu, June 5th, Faulkner, 617-983-7451
· Thu, June 19th, Natick Health Department, 508-647-6460
Recipe:
Now that you have read up on the dangers of the sun, here’s a way you can put the sun to good use! Follow these easy steps and you can make your own sun-dried tomatoes!
1.) Begin with any type of tomato; most people prefer to make sun-dried tomatoes with Roma Tomatoes. (10 standard tomatoes = 1 ounce dried)
2.) Choose tomatoes of a uniform size so they dry at the same rate.
3.) Slice tomatoes in half, place on a raised screen, and lightly sprinkle with salt and optional herbs (pepper, marjoram, basil, bay leaves).
4.) Place in hot sun until dry. (Depending on weather, this could take up to 2 weeks or as little as 4 days.)
5.) Cover with a cheesecloth, which is raised so it does not touch the tomatoes. Bring tomatoes inside during the night.
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