Fighting melanoma - Issues more than skin-deep
I am a reformed sun worshipper. Years ago - when I was still a student and summers were solely there for enjoyment purposes - you could find me on the beach, applying litres of baby oil and frying my skin in my quest for a suntan.Those hours in the sun...
I am a reformed sun worshipper. Years ago - when I was still a student and summers were solely there for enjoyment purposes - you could find me on the beach, applying litres of baby oil and frying my skin in my quest for a suntan.Those hours in the sun would be followed by days of suffering, during which touching my skin was complete agony and no make-up could cover the red-raw patches of peeling skin.
In less than a week, the "suntan" would have disappeared, and I would be back on the beach with my book and baby oil, not giving a second thought that my skin would become as wrinkled as a prune when I grew older.
Some 10 years on, I am regretting my days in the sun - every morning, when I have to spend an extra five minutes covering the numerous freckles and brown spots that sprung up because of years in the sun. The hundreds of liri spent on whitening creams and essences were money down the drain.
Today, I am careful not to spend a minute more than necessary in the sun, and sunscreens have become part of my daily skin care routine.
And while many women are becoming more aware of the damage that the sun can do, men are still steering away from sun creams and not covering themselves from the harmful rays of the sun.
What is worrying is that this nonchalance from the part of Maltese men has led to a reversal of melanoma statistics. Lawrence Scerri, the head of Sir Paul Boffa's Dermatology Department, pointed out that a 10-year study found that while up to the mid-1990s melanoma - the most serious form of skin cancer - was most frequent in women, it is now being found more in men. Five men and one woman lost their fight to the potentially deadly disease last year.
Dr Scerri said it is common knowledge that men are less keen to adopt any form of protective measures when it comes to protecting their skin from the harmful rays of the sun. This is a trend around the world and this year's Euro Melanoma Day, being marked on Monday, is targeting men, with the aim of increasing awareness.
The incidence of melanoma among Caucasians - which are the most at risk - has been on the increase for the past years, with the biggest problem seen in Australia, where incidence is sky-high. In fact, while in most countries the incidence is five to six per 100,000 people, in Australia and New Zealand it stands at a whooping 30 to 40 per 100,000.
Dr Scerri stressed the importance of increasing awareness among young people and men, adding that many see protecting their skin as something that is not cool, and it is very hard to change this mentality.
"We have to target the younger generations in a cleverer way, using marketing tactics to change their mentality."
He said the trend for women to be more careful goes a long way and reflects the changing mentality over the past four or five decades. "Melanoma is caused by years of sun exposure," he said.
"We do not expect there to be a concrete change in statistics immediately. But we hope that it will translate in an improvement in years to come."
Asked whether women are more aware because of the repercussions skin exposure could have on their beauty regime, Dr Scerri said this could have an impact. In 2000 the Health Promotion Department had launched the campaign Jekk tixxemmex titkemmex (if you sunbathe you will get wrinkled), which was described as very effective.
More women are now going for fake tans, which still lead to a browner skin without the harm caused through exposing yourself to the sun's rays.
With this in mind, Alternative Therapy, sole distributors of St Tropez tanning products is sponsoring this year's events by organising a tanathon this weekend.
Sun worshippers can now safely bronze themselves up for an early summer tan without having to risk damaging their skin with the harmful effects of the sun and UV tanning beds. At Lm5 for a full body airbrushing tanning - instead of the current Lm12 tag - men and women of all ages can benefit from this one-time occasion in the year during the tanathon taking place at the Embassy Complex in Valletta and Bay Street in St Julians.
What is melanoma?
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer which can develop anywhere on the skin, up to 50 per cent of cases within a pre-existing mole.
A melanoma lesion normally appears as a black or brown patch or lump with irregular features. Lesions are normally asymmetrical, have an irregular border, more than one colour and a diameter larger than six millimetres and one in five cases are fatal.
Melanoma invades the skin and spreads to other organs in the body, ultimately resulting in death. Surgical removal of a lesion if it is caught at an early rate leads to an excellent survival rate. But the chances of survival once the melanoma has spread are dismal.
The biggest cause of melanoma is exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays, especially when a person gets sunburnt. There is a strong link between sunburn in childhood and development of melanoma later on in life.
People with fair skin that burns and freckles easily and those with numerous moles have a higher risk of developing melanoma.
Melanoma is equally common in men and women and although it can occur at any age, it is extremely rare in childhood.
Prevention is better than cure
Sunscreens are an important part of sun protection. However, it is recommended not to rely on sunscreen alone, but use them as part of a full sun protection regime, including wearing a hat, especially for balding men. It is also imperative to avoid being out in the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.Children under six months should not be out in the sun and sunscreen is not enough for that type of delicate and very sensitive skin.
Also helpful is keeping an eye on the UV index, and it is dangerous to stay in the sun when it is seven or up.
The prevention of melanoma and skin cancer has become a national concern. Do you protect yourself from the sun? How? Walking through Republic Street in Valletta, Kurt Bugeja Coster asks those who have the courage to answer in public.
Edward Pmorski, 50
"Yes, I protect myself against the sun. Well... I walk through the shade as much as possible. I used to linger in the sun quite often, but the older I grow, the more aware I become." Hilda Grech Soler, 70
"Yes, a lot. I use sun cream and other creams which offer some protection against the sun. I also wear sunglasses and, if it matches the clothes I'm wearing, a hat." Paul Calleja, 27
"Not really, I like lingering in the sun. When I do protect myself, which is mostly on the beach between 12 and 3 p.m., I apply sun cream." Christabel Abela, 20
"Yes, I apply sun cream when I go out in the morning, actually whenever the sun is at its brightest. When it's not sunny I don't bother though." William Hendy, 63
"Sometimes. Using a sun cream. I always make it a point to protect my eyes though. After being a welder at the drydocks for so many years, I think it's very important to protect one's eyes." Arianna Gatt, 20
"Yes, rather than using just sun cream, I use other products that contain a sun protection factor. Even though I don't care much about protecting my skin from the sun, I make sure I always protect my eyes from it." Pierre Debono, 36
"Not really, even though I work mostly in the sun."It was interesting to note that his mother scolded him as soon as he said that.