Download Skin Cancer Affects All of Us, No Matter Your Skin Color

Community Connections | May 2015 | Volume No 5, Issue 5
Skin Cancer Affects All of Us,
No Matter Your Skin Color
UV, such as genetics or other
environmental influences, and
may occur on parts of the body
rarely exposed to the sun,” said
Dr. Ilene Rothman, Interim
Chair of the Roswell Park
Department of Dermatology.
It’s that time of year again, when “For example, darker-skinned
it gets warmer and brighter out- people are more susceptible to
acral lentiginous melanoma
side. As a result, most of us
want to get outside and soak up (ALM), an especially harmful
the rays; and some of us want to form of melanoma (the
deadliest type of skin cancer)
get a nice summertime tan.
that typically appears on the
Many work outside under the
sun. Whatever the case, people palms of the hands and soles
of the feet.”
with lighter-skin may protect
themselves against the sun with Different ethnicities are at
sun tan lotions or other sunhigher risk for particular skin
screen applications. However,
malignancies: Latinos,
many people with darker-skin
Chinese, and Japanese Asians
do not.
tend to develop basal cell carciMost skin cancers are associated with ultraviolet (UV) radiation
from the sun or tanning beds,
and many people of color are
less susceptible to UV damage
thanks to the greater amounts of
melanin (the protective pigment
that gives skin and eyes their
color) darker skin produces. But
people of color can still develop
skin cancer from UV damage.
“Certain skin cancers are
caused by factors other than
noma (BCC), the most common
skin cancer. But the second
most common, squamous cell
carcinoma (SCC), is more
frequent among AfricanAmericans and Asian Indians.
Because many doctors and
patients believe people of color
are immune to skin cancer,
diagnosis is often delayed,
sometimes until the disease is
advanced and potentially fatal.
Furthermore, dangerous skin
cancers such as the fastmoving ALM and a
metastasizing (spreading)
form of squamous cell
carcinoma are more common
among darker-skinned
people. So while skin cancer
is much more common
among lighter-skinned
people, it tends to be more
deadly among people of
color.
For more information about
skin cancer and early screening, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI
(1-877-275-7724), or
www.roswellpark.org.
Inside this issue:
Page#
HAVE FUN IN THE SUN SAFELY
2
FREE SKIN CANCER SCREENING
3
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE
CELEBRATION
4
NOWUKNOW NEW VIDEO
PREMIERE NIGHT
5
Community Connections
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month:
Have Fun in the Sun Safely
May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and with summer right around the corner, it’s
important to remember that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can increase
your risk of developing skin cancer.
Sunscreen, when used properly, helps decrease the amount of UV radiation to the skin. But
not all sunscreens are created equal. When choosing a sunscreen, look at the SPF, or sun
protection factor, number. We recommend using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
Anything under 30 is not as effective, and those with SPF higher than 30 are not significantly
more effective.
It’s important to note that the SPF number only applies to protection from UVB rays. The
sun’s UVA rays are also very damaging to the skin, so it is crucial to use sunscreen that
protects from UVA as well. These sunscreens will be labeled as “broad spectrum.” Sunscreen
typically lasts for only 2-3 hours, so it needs to be reapplied throughout the day when
outdoors. If you are planning on swimming or will be sweating, the sunscreen used should
also be water resistant and reapplied after 40 minutes.
Sun-Safety Tips
Exposure to sun and artificial tanning is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers,
including melanoma. Here’s a quick reference list of the most important ways to safely enjoy
this time of year:

Generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF of at least 30 to
all exposed skin. Reapply approximately every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after
swimming or sweating.

Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and
sunglasses, when possible.

Seek shade when appropriate. Remember that the sun's rays are strongest between
10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.

Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand because they reflect the damaging rays of
the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn.

Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that may include vitamin supplements.
Don't seek the sun.

Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer
and wrinkling. If you want to look tan, consider using a self-tanning product, but continue
to use sunscreen with it.

Check your skin regularly for new or changing moles or non-healing growths.
Page 2
Volume 5, Issue 5
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month:
Skin Cancer Screening Offered at Roswell Park
Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates
that more than 73,000 new cases of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, will be
diagnosed in 2015. Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of skin color.
On Friday, May 1st, & Saturday, May 2nd, Roswell Park Cancer Institute will be offering FREE
skin cancer screenings in its hospital’s main lobby located at Carlton Street at Elm Street in
Buffalo, New York. The screenings will begin at 8:30 am until 2:30 pm. Free parking will be
available in the Roswell Park Parking Ramp directly across the street from the hospital.
The screening is open to those who meet any of the following eligibility criteria:

History of artificial tanning

History of working outside

Suspicious mole or spot on the skin

Any prior blistering sunburn
Preregistration is required to participate. Please call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) to
secure your appointment. Space is limited!
Curious on what happens during a skin cancer
screening? Find out what to expect by
going on-line to:
www.RoswellPark.org/SkinCancerScreeningEvent
Page 3
Community Connections
Native American Heritage Celebration
Draws a Full House
Audience members at RPCI’s
Native American Heritage
celebration counted to 10 in
Mohawk as they learned about
numbers represented in the
Mohawk creation story.
Tom Porter (Sakokwenionkwas
— “The One Who Wins”),
spiritual leader of the Mohawk
community of Kanatsiohareke
near Fonda, NY, narrated the
story for a full house in the Zebro
Family Conference Room on
March 25th. Both RPCI employees and members of the community took part in the program.
Dr. Rodney Haring, far left,
participates with fellow Senecas
Page 4
The Native Grandparents Club
treated participants to a buffet of
such traditional foods as venison
and turkey, corn soup, fry bread,
squash, beans, and pumpkin pudding. Allegany singers and dancers
from the Senecas Strong Program
performed after dinner.
Rodney Haring, PhD, LMSW,
Assistant Professor in RPCI’s
Office of Cancer Health Disparities
and a member of the Seneca
Nation of Indians, served as emcee
for the event. The audience also
heard from Chris Tallchief, who
gave a traditional thanksgiving
address, and Michael Martin,
member of the Onondaga Nation
and Executive Director of Native
American Community Services,
Inc., in Buffalo.
Richard Hershberger, PhD, RPCI’s
Chief Academic Officer, spoke
about the need for greater Native
American representation among
cancer researchers and provided
information about RPCI’s summer
research opportunities for students.
The program was organized by
RPCI’s Office of Diversity &
Inclusion Director, David Scott, who
offered opening remarks.
Volume 5, Issue 5
“NowUKnow” New Video Premiere Night:
A Great Success
about programs that offer cancer education, early screening & detection,
treatment, and research through a
series of unique videos that featured
local cancer survivors and other
community gatekeepers providing
personal testimonials about their
experiences with cancer.
(From Left to Right): Provy Carrion,
Dr. Deborah Erwin, and Maria Torres
On March 19th, the RPCI Office
of Cancer Health Disparities
Research (OCHDR), hosted a
NOWUKNOW New Video
Premiere Night at Roswell Park.
This event was an effort to
continue to strengthen relationships between RPCI and those
community gatekeepers that
represent underserved
communities throughout the
Western New York-region that
may be in need of cancer-specific
services. Event attendees learned
Page 5
Event attendees also learned what
“risk-factors” for specific cancers are
and why knowing what these factors
may help save their lives. Attendees
also had the opportunity to meet and
ask questions of the experts that
direct Roswell Park’s high-risk
clinics at a “Meet & Greet” after the
video presentations.
Other activities included a
community recognition award
ceremony, which honored OCHDR
volunteers for their service and
dedication to cancer education.
Those receiving recognition were
Provy Carrion (Esperanza y Vida),
Nancy Spencer (Buffalo/Niagara
Witness Project), and
Richard Satterwhite (MANUP
Buffalo).
All new NOWUKNOW videos can be
seen on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/
UC7mZt5OXrzDZxNV8zwy_AJw/videos
ROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTE
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
The Carlton House, Room 308-A
Elm & Carlton Streets
Buffalo, New York 14263
Phone: 716-845-4557
Fax: 716-845-8487
E-mail: [email protected]
Want to catch up on past editions of the Community Connections
newsletter? Just go to:
www.roswellpark.edu/prevention/cancer-health-disparities
An Important Upcoming Event:
A Conversation on HPV Vaccination:
Results of an Environmental Scan in WNY
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Gaylord Cary Meeting Room, Research Studies Center, Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Light Snacks and Refreshments offered
For more information, please contact Christy Widman
OCHDR Community Outreach Manager, WNYC2 Center
(716) 845-5814 or [email protected]