Protecting Your Skin from Cancer

Maureen Reagan died from it. Her father, President Ronald Reagan was diagnosed with it. So were former President Bill Clinton and Arizona Senator John McCain. They survived, as did I. We are the lucky ones.

"It" is skin cancer, a disease that more than one million sun-worshiping Americans are diagnosed with each year. Fortunately, most types of skin cancer are easily cured when discovered, diagnosed and treated early.

But, like too many men, I wasn't exceptionally quick to have a bump on my nose and a long-weeping scab on my ear examined. When I finally did get around to seeing Dr. (Lt. Col.) Matthew Ricks at Scott AFB, Ill., he immediately suspected skin cancer on both trouble spots. A quick biopsy and a few days later, his diagnosis was confirmed.

Dr. Ricks: "It's just as I thought; basal cell carcinoma."

Me: "Uh, I have cancer?"

Dr. Ricks: "Yes, but if you have to have cancer, this is the only way to go."

Me: "Whew!"

Dr. Ricks said there are three main types of skin cancer: Basal cell is the most common and is usually found on the top level of the skin in areas that have extensive exposure to the sun. Basal cell cancer is slow moving and the most curable.

Squamous cell involves the flat, scaly cells on the skin's surface and often appears as a small bump or a scar. Commonly found on the nose, forehead and hands, it can spread but it is rarely fatal.

Melanoma attacks the skin's color-producing cells. One of the most serious forms of cancer, The American Cancer Society estimates that about 51,400 new melanomas were diagnosed in the United States during 2001 and nearly 8,000 people died. But even melanoma is survivable if diagnosed and treated early enough-just ask Senator McCain, who was dangerously exposed to the sun during his many years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.