The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: News

Media Credit: JAKE DANIELS Dr. Joyce Thomas, a local dermatologist, speaks about the importance of using sufficiently strong sunscreen in the Drewry Room on Thursday. [Click to enlarge]

Skin cancer occurs in more patients than all other cancers combined, a local dermatologist said Thursday.

"There are over one million incidents of skin cancer a year," said Dr. Joyce Thomas, a cosmetic dermatologist.

Thomas and Emily Parks, a University senior and survivor of melanoma, led the lecture sponsored by the American Cancer Society and the University's Public Relations Student Society of America to shed light on the dangers of skin cancer.

Parks, now cancer-free for five years, told the story about her painful struggle with stage three melanoma, a rare type of skin cancer.

Parks said she was diagnosed at age 17 when she visited a doctor to have a mole on the side of her face removed. The mole was found to be cancerous.

She had to endure two surgeries and two years of treatment for her cancer. Even after five years, Parks still must go in for yearly MRIs and CAT scans.

Thomas spoke about the medical side of skin cancer. She has worked in the Athens area for 15 years and worked as the University health consultant in dermatology.

Although everyone wants the perfect golden tan, a tan is actually one of your body's defenses against the sun, Thomas said. Sun damage occurs in all levels of the skin and stays with you for life.

By the age of 18, most of the damage to your skin has already occurred, so skin protection must start early, she said.

Thomas also spoke about how to spot skin cancer with the "ABCDs" of melanoma. She said if a mole is asymmetric, has border irregularity, a strange color or an enlarging diameter, it should be looked at by a dermatologist.

The best way to prevent skin cancer from forming is to apply sun protection daily, she said.

"It is far better to use a daily sunscreen than to just use it when you are at the beach or laying out," Thomas said.

Parks also noted the importance of sunscreen in preventing skin cancer.

"After two painful years of treatment, applying sunscreen is definitely worth it," Parks said.

Parks' final advice to sun-lovers: "stay away from tanning beds. They're awful."

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