Skin Cancer

House Speaker Michael E. Busch was treated this week for what he called a non life-threatening form of skin cancer -- a condition he attributes largely to his years of work as a lifeguard at a time when sunblock was less effective and often went unused. Busch revealed the treatment, which involved cutting away an affected patch of skin on his leg,  during an interview on an unrelated topic. He said the condition is a basal cell cancer that is neither malignant nor life-threatening.

Two new government studies show young people are still putting themselves at risk for skin cancer by getting sunburned and going to indoor tanning beds. One study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that half of those aged 18 to 29 had at least one sunburn it the past year, though they were increasingly using sunscreen, seeking shade and wearing protective clothing. The other study by the National Cancer Institute found 32 percent of those 18 to 21 were going to indoor tanning salons and 30 percent of those 22 to 25 were.

Two new government studies show young people are still putting themselves at risk for skin cancer by getting sunburned and going to indoor tanning beds. One study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that half of those aged 18 to 29 had at least one sunburn it the past year, though they were increasingly using sunscreen, seeking shade and wearing protective clothing. The other study by the National Cancer Institute found 32 percent of those 18 to 21 were going to indoor tanning salons and 30 percent of those 22 to 25 were.

Baltimore Ravens Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron was a young coach at the University of Michigan when his then head coach Bo Schembechler noticed a spot on his back. The spot turned out to be a malignant mole and Cameron was diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma. Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer. Cameron was treated and survived and is now speaking out about skin cancer. He will be featured in a 30-second public service announcement for the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation, a national nonprofit headquartered in Maryland that promoted melanoma research and prevention.

Baltimore Ravens Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron was a young coach at the University of Michigan when his then head coach Bo Schembechler noticed a spot on his back. The spot turned out to be a malignant mole and Cameron was diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma. Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer. Cameron was treated and survived and is now speaking out about skin cancer. He will be featured in a 30-second public service announcement for the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation, a national nonprofit headquartered in Maryland that promoted melanoma research and prevention.

The more sunburns you've suffered, the more likely you are to develop a type of skin cancer -- and the number of sunburns you've had is a stronger predictor than skin type of your cancer risk, according to a new report.In a study of 107,900 predominantly white women who were followed for eight years, those who had six or more sunburns in their lifetime had more than twice the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma than women who had never been burned.As the number of sunburns in a lifetime increased, so did a person's cancer risk, the researchers reported today in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Summer brings an exodus outdoors, to all the enjoyable recreational activities available and to exposure to sunlight and its radiation.This radiation, besides causing collagen damage and aging the skin, is the main cause of skin cancer, the most common form of cancer. Even though men are more likely to develop skin cancer, increasing numbers of women in their 20s and 30s are being diagnosed with the disease.Skin cancer is expected to affect about 1 million Americans this year, equal to all other cancers combined.

If you reach a certain age and have the pasty skin of the Irish and have spent much time in the sun, you may one day find yourself in a dermatologist's office with the dermatologist peering at two small blotches on your face and furrowing her brow and murmuring: "Hmm." This, you discover, is generally not a good thing. And when the next words out of the dermatologist's mouth are, "We should do a biopsy," that pretty much removes all doubt as to whether you're about to get some terrific news about your complexion.

To promote National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Harbor Hospital Center is having a program, "Answers to the Burning Questions," at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Gruehn Auditorium.The program will focus attention on skin cancer, the most common type of cancer among U.S. residents. Anyone over the age of 15 can get skin cancer. The one-hour session will be followed with a question-and-answer period.Several informational brochures about skin cancer will be available.For more information, call 347-2563.

Warm weather is here at last. But before you hit the beach or the tennis courts or head for the pool, make sure you've taken precautions to protect yourself from the sun's searing rays, says Dr. Oanh Lauring, a dermatologist at Mercy Medical Center. Who is at risk for skin cancer? Anyone who is exposed to the sun, but those at highest risk are patients with fair skin. So typically blonds, people with red hair, blue eyes or fair skin to start with are at increased risk. But black people need sunscreen, too. They do burn, and if you are someone who has any kind of dark marks or discolored skin such as acne or other darker areas, those areas need protection as well.

House Speaker Michael E. Busch was treated this week for what he called a non life-threatening form of skin cancer -- a condition he attributes largely to his years of work as a lifeguard at a time when sunblock was less effective and often went unused. Busch revealed the treatment, which involved cutting away an affected patch of skin on his leg,  during an interview on an unrelated topic. He said the condition is a basal cell cancer that is neither malignant nor life-threatening.

State health officials released an ambitious plan Tuesday to reduce cancer deaths, using the latest strategies to prevent, detect and treat the disease — and save the lives of an additional 1,200 Marylanders a year. "Our goal in Maryland is to have to lowest incidence of cancer of any state," said Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, secretary of the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in announcing the Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan. "This is our road map. " The plan, which includes the reduction of racial disparities and an increase in screening, is designed to maintain Maryland's progress in battling cancer.

Farmers' Market checks for seniors Distribution of the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program checks will begin in July at Anne Arundel County Senior Activity Centers. Checks are good for the purchase of fresh produce at the county's farmers' markets. Senior citizens must be at least 60 years old and meet income guidelines. Seniors will verify their eligibility at the distribution points. Checks will be available on the following sites and dates: •Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities, 2666 Riva Road, Suite 400, Annapolis.

L. Alan Keene, you're all wet on your article "Save boaters from themselves" (May 18). Your comparison to cell phones while driving and helmets for motorcycles is overstated. Using cell phones while driving, like drunk-driving, directly endangers the lives of others. The chances of critical injury or death from falling into the water are vastly lower than head injury in a motorcycle crash. People like you would legislate every personal freedom we have away. What's next — you have to wear a PFD ( personal flotation device)

Susan Paula Kramon, a retired social worker, died of pneumonia Oct. 15 at Gilchrist Hospice Care. She was 65 and lived in Brooklandville. Born Susan Paula Samuelson in Washington, D.C., she was known as Paula. She was raised on Bateman Avenue and later in Pikesville. She was a 1962 Milford Mill High School graduate and earned a bachelor's degree in psychology at Carnegie Mellon University and a master's degree in social work from the University of Maryland. Mrs. Kramon worked for 14 years in various social work agencies, including Jewish Family and Children's Services, and was active in the National Association of Social Workers and the American Cancer Society.

A proposal to restrict minors' use of tanning facilities in Baltimore County, and assess penalties on those who violate the law, failed Monday by a County Council vote of 2 to 5. Two councilmen who voted against the measure said it would usurp parents' rights. Current state law allows those under age 18 to get such a tan with parents' permission. "I struggled with this because the intent is good, but I am not comfortable taking away parental rights," said Councilman John A. Olszewski Sr. Prompted by a "rise in skin cancer," Councilman Vincent Gardina said the bill he drafted would effectively reduce teens' exposure to ultraviolet rays, which have been linked to skin cancer.

The beginning of summer is very exciting for everyone, especially sunbathers who desire that perfect tan. However, like everything else, there are times when lots of us will overdo it.That's why Harbor Hospital Center is offering free skin cancer screenings from noon to 2 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. today. Conducted by dermatologists, the screenings will be held in the hospital's former outpatient department. The free screenings are part of the Harbor Hospital Cancer Center's cancer education and prevention effort.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer and melanoma is its deadliest form. "In 2007, over 100,000 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed, with over half of them being invasive [beyond the top layer of the skin]," says Dr. Jennifer Cooper, a dermatologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center. "Over 8,000 people are expected to die from melanoma this year. So educating people [about] what to look for and when to see their doctor is critical so that skin cancer can be detected in early stages."