Drum Corps and Skin Cancer

[Sexyguardcap]

When I marched my parents always told me to use sun block. Being brown skined I thought it was silly at the time ,but I did it anyway. Everyone has to protect themselves.

This is one of the best threads I've read on DCP.

Skin cancer in blacks in the United States.

Halder RM, Bang KM.

Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, D.C.

Skin cancer is rare in blacks compared with whites in the United States. The most common form is squamous-cell carcinoma, not basal-cell carcinoma, as it is in whites. Sunlight does not appear to be an important etiologic factor in skin cancer in blacks, as most lesions occur on covered areas. Malignant melanoma is low in frequency but commonly affects acral areas and has a poor prognosis. Mycosis fungoides and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans appear to have a high frequency among skin cancers. Squamous-cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and mycosis fungoides have a relatively high mortality rate in blacks. Bowen's disease and Kaposi's sarcoma occur in blacks but are rare. As there is a high frequency of squamous-cell carcinoma of the skin in blacks, prevention and early detection should benefit the patient. Considering the difficulties encountered in applying epidemiologic methods to skin cancer on a national scale, etiologic studies should be conducted in carefully selected areas. Future investigations of skin cancer in blacks should include an examination of risk factors such as burns, trauma, and diet and familial and immunologic aspects as well.

[byline]

Like i've been saying.. most contacs come with UV filters in them... easiest thing to do would be to pick up a pair of no script contacts...

Contacts with UV filters help, but they're really not the ideal solution because they don't protect the entire eye or eyelids: All Eyes on Summer Sun Safety

The experts remind contact lens wearers that sunglasses are always a must, even for those wearing contacts with built-in UV protection.

[kac]

http://www.sunguardsunprotection.com/

Some of the marching members reading this thread might want to check this stuff out. At the very least it will boost the spf in your clothing.

Oh, and if you do get a very bad burn (as I did on the top of my feet once), smearing plain yogurt on the burn will take the redness & sting out virtually overnight.

[ChicagoFan]

As a kid marching (long before we were really aware of the damaging effects of the sun) I never thought to cover up or protect myself in any way. In fact, during the 80s a good tan was a status symbol, per se, and we worked hard to keep ourselves bronzed. Even years later, when I became aware that too much sun exposure was dangerous, I refused to fully heed the warnings, as I wanted to look good! And of course, we all feel invincible.

Fast foward to a year ago and a visit to the dermatologist for a routine checkup at the suggestion of my doctor. Many of those little freckles all over my arms upper body turned out to be troublesome and, as of today, I've endured 6 procedures to remove cancerous and pre-cancerous skin growths. So far, I've been lucky in that none have spread and we've removed them in time, but I shudder to think what might have happened had I waited any longer to see a specialist.

No matter how great that tan looks, no matter how uncomfortable it might be to wear a t-shirt or hat in 90 degree heat, no matter how much you might want to show off your ripped body -- the excuses go on and on -- the risks to your health and even your life, far outweigh any of those arguments.

[lnavis]

I marched in the 1970's and one of my friends in the guard died from skin cancer. :(

I still worry to this day. I remember one Memorial Day camp that I got burned so bad I was in bed for days.

[greggmanX-Kingsmen]

I'm glad to see this thread has taken off. My purpose was to raise awareness of the dangers of being out in the sun for long periods of time without protection.

Having a tan is still looked upon as "cool" when in reality a tan, any tan, is a sign your skin has been damaged. On my last visit to my Dermatologist, I had over ten spots on my face and ears burned off with dry ice. I looked like a monster afterwards and not very "cool".

I'm paying the price now for being stupid.

Anaheim Kingsmen 07

[byline]

When I marched my parents always told me to use sun block. Being brown skined I thought it was silly at the time ,but I did it anyway. Everyone has to protect themselves.

I remember being very surprised when, while watching the San Franciso season of "The Real World" on MTV, I heard the late Pedro Zamora talk about his mother having died of skin cancer, and that her suffering was what prompted him to want to become a doctor. (That became impossible after he contracted AIDS.) They were from Cuba, and so had a darker skin color. Until then, I never realized that people with darker skin are also susceptible to skin cancer. I think the risks are greater for fair-skinned individuals, but the risk is still there for people with darker skin tones, too.

This is one of the best threads I've read on DCP.

I agree!

[byline]

I'm paying the price now for being stupid.

I'm sorry that you're having to go through this. I've read similar accounts in other forums, and the procedure sounds pretty awful. The thing that bothers me is that, even after someone talks about what they have been through with this kind of treatment, others will respond saying that they value a tan too much to give it up, and that they can't understand how something that looks so "healthy" is so bad for you. (In a word: radiation!)

I can understand doing things out of ignorance (which I certainly did), but to willfully disregard what we know to be true, only for vanity's sake, seems so reckless. And these aren't kids of the "uninvincable" age, either. I'm pretty sure the gal who responded is at least in her 30s, possibly older. That's the stuff that makes me shake my head.

[byline]

Contacts with UV filters help, but they're really not the ideal solution because they don't protect the entire eye or eyelids: All Eyes on Summer Sun Safety

I've been told that my link to this article isn't working (it works for me, but not for someone else clicking on it). I've found that sometimes direct links to specific items on websites will work for me, but not for others. If it doesn't work for you, then maybe begin at the beginning and go to the "News" link, and then do a search for sun safety.

Here's what the page says:

All Eyes on Summer Sun Safety

Protecting vision from UV glare is key, experts say.

SATURDAY, July 9 (HealthDay News) -- After slathering on the sunscreen, summer-lovin' Americans should take steps to protect their eyes from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, say experts at the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Long-term exposure to UV radiation can damage eyes and lead to vision loss, such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

July is UV Safety Month, so the American Academy of Ophthalmology is offering these tips on protecting vulnerable eyes from the sun:

* Buy right. Purchase sunglasses that block UV rays. That doesn't mean buying expensive sunglasses or especially dark ones, the experts note, since UV-blocking power isn't dependent on either price or lens darkness.

* Go side-to-side. Ideally, sunglasses should wrap all the way around the temples to help prevent the sun's rays from entering from the sides.

* Top it off. In addition to sunglasses, broad-rimmed hats are key to shielding sensitive eyes, and should be worn even on cloudy days. The sun's UV rays can pass through thin clouds and haze, experts say.

* Build on contacts. The experts remind contact lens wearers that sunglasses are always a must, even for those wearing contacts with built-in UV protection.

* Beware the glare. It's especially important to wear sunglasses in early afternoon and at higher altitudes, where UV light is more intense.

[bradrick]

A word of warning to any corps member touring or rehearsing in the north Texas/Dallas/Fort Worth area this year:

On the National Weather Service scale of harmful U.V. Radiation for outdoor exposure - with 10 being the worst possible -

we are already at a 10 right now in the Dallas area.

Holy Moly!!

That's seriously a bad sign....

Edited April 17, 2006 by bradrick