Directors: David Klatt, Brian Pasmore, Ben Van Heeswijk and Bob Wilson
Attendance:
Members: 14 plus Blake (Honourary)
Guests: None
Birthdays: 0
Anniversaries: 0
Meeting Date: Feb. 5, 2024
Program:After the usual wonderful meal prepared by the ACW, Ron started the meeting by thanking the ladies in the kitchen.
1. Program: Ben introduced his guest speaker,via Zoom and video, Steve Fine to speak about Melanoma Early Self-Detection and Prevention
The Melanoma Foundation was formed in the US in 1999 and incorporated in 2000 as an non-profit organization
They have a school outreach program, 1999-present, with a Rotary outreach as well
Unfortunately Steve’s son died at age 26 from melanoma
The focus is on early self-detection and prevention of melanoma
Steve went over the 3 kinds of skin cancer; basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma and described their seriousness
In the US as of 2021, there was a new melanoma death every hour, with 25% of new patients under age 40
It is the most prevalent cancer in the 25-29 age group, increasing at an epidemic rate
It strikes regardless of health, physical condition or complexion and in 90% of cases, there was no family history
There are usually no symptoms except those visible until too late and usually incurable when it spreads to the internal organs
As it is the easiest cancer to self-detect early, it is nearly guaranteed curable when done so, with removal of moles painless and quick when done in a doctor’s office
No chemotherapy or radiation needed when removed at an early stage
The risk is highest in white skinned people, lowest in Blacks
He went over the warning signs of melanoma, including a change in a mole or skin lesion – size, colour shape surface or thickness- a new mole or growth that appears suddenly
The describing of what moles that are signs of melanoma was quite complicated
When in doubt, Steve’s advice is to see a dermatologist as soon as possible, through your family doctor if necessary
Going over how to examine your skin regularly is vital, with the common location for males being the back and females the back of the legs
In the darker skinned population, it is the hands and feet; Bob Marley, famous Black singer dying from melanoma under a toe nail proceeding to his brain is an example
Steve recommends self-checking once a month in front of a large mirror, with a family member or friend checking your back if necessary
Steve explained that it is ultra-violet radiation that is harmful to the skin
Using tanning beds can greatly increase your risk of melanoma; for those under 35, every tanning bed session increases your risk by 22%
For those under 30, using a tanning bed 10 or more times, the risk is 8 times as great
It is recommended to use sunscreen with w/spf greater than 30, with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, applied heavily- every two hours, ie 6 oz per day if out in the sun all day
Wear wide-brimmed hats, protective clothing and sunglasses with 100% UV protection
There is quite a misconception among teens, who think that skin cancer only happens to older people and that tanning beds are safe
In recent studies, it was found that 44% of white females of age 18 used tanning beds and many teens didn’t use sun screen at all
The reason for much of this is the lack of any formal education about melanoma, whether from parents or the school system
Also, many family doctors had little dermatology training in medical school
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