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First lady, Wal-Mart, HCC unite to fight melanoma Wal-Mart Stores Inc. contributed $10,000 to Hollings Cancer Center through the Melanoma Fund for the center’s efforts in fighting melanoma. Melanoma is a preventable, treatable, but potentially deadly form of cancer that has increased among South Carolinians.   Participating in the event are from left Greg Ley, Dr. Andrew Kraft, HCC director, Debbie Bryant, Jenny Sanford, and Dr. Brian Leach. First lady Jenny Sanford hosted the June 13 check presentation and educational event at the Hollings Cancer Center (HCC) during which noted HCC skin cancer expert, Brian Leach, M.D., explained warning signs and prevention methods for melanoma. Prevention can be easily achieved by taking advantage of HCC’s new Mobile Health Unit, which offers free skin cancer screenings, he said.   Leach said that HCC’s proactive melanoma screening and treatment program is critical, given that it will be detected in 60,000 Americans this year. “It will kill 8,000 Americans this year,” Leach said, “and it accounts for 80 percent of all skin cancer-related deaths.”   Most disturbing is the rate of skin cancer increases in children, which “now is reaching epidemic levels,” Leach said, adding that one in 70 people in the United States will have been diagnosed with melanoma at some time in their lives.   “Knowing family history, minimizing exposure to the sun, using sunscreen—preferably one with physical blocks (titanium dioxide or zinc oxide)—and getting checked early can greatly reduced one’s risk for developing melanoma,” Sanford said. “Hollings Cancer Center is taking innovative steps that include looking at ways to better treat or cure melanoma.”   HCC and the Melanoma Fund are leaders in prevention and critical care services for citizens of South Carolina. Both provide valuable education about skin cancer that explain the realities of this disease to ensure prevention where possible, and care for those who develop the disease.   “As many of you know, melanoma is 100 percent treatable when detected early and we have a team of experts that are always standing ready to screen patients and treat skin cancer with the latest technology and utmost care,” said Leach, an MUSC dermatology fellow.   Leach provided a list of life saving tips at the event for those who hit the beach, enjoy the pool, or spend time outdoors. Recommended safety tips include: Apply a broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) sunscreen of at least 15 SPF 30 minutes prior to sun exposure and reapply at least every two hours for continuous sun exposure. New and improved sun screen products also are available and contain helioplex or mexoryl, which offer long-lasting UVA protection. Apply a sufficient amount of sunscreen, at least a shot glass full, or a tablespoon for small children. Wear sun protective clothing and a broad-brimmed hat to cover as much of your skin as possible. Check the weather forecast for the day’s UV index and schedule your day’s activities accordingly. Limit sun exposure during the hours of maximal UV exposure, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but particularly between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when UV rays are most intense. Perform regular monthly self-skin exams and seek professional medical evaluation for any new or changing skin lesions. Unfortunately, Leach said that most of a person’s susceptibility to melanoma may have been established by the age of 20, depending on the number and severity of sunburns a person has had. Because of that, people who spent a lot of time in the sun during their youths should pay special attention to odd-shaped and multiple moles, and other unusual skin problems that may deserve further investigation.   Meanwhile, citizens across the state will benefit this summer from HCC educational outreach programs. “Hollings Cancer Center can visit with citizens all over South Carolina because of our new Mobile Health Unit,” said Debbie Bryant, HCC Outreach Service coordinator. “We will have our mobile screening unit at various places across the state this summer where people can get free screenings—one that just might save their life.”   In addition to its $10,000 grant to HCC, Wal-Mart also provided merchandise for the Mobile Health Unit that can help protect against the sun’s damaging rays. Free giveaways include sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. “We are honored to be a part of the important work the Hollings Cancer Center does for patients in South Carolina, many of whom shop our stores every day,” said Greg Ley, Wal-Mart Stores marketing manager. “We are proud to give a donation of $10,000 in recognition of the hard work of first lady Jenny Sanford and the Hollings Cancer Center to ensure that we continue to raise awareness and prevention rates of this disease.” HCC Mobile Health Unit’s Free Skin Cancer Screenings Free skin cancer screenings will be offered from the health unit from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., July 14 at the Isle of Palms; and Aug. 11 at the James Island County Park. Anyone can have skin cancer screenings, which includes a visual inspection of the skin for suspicious moles or lesions.   For information and a schedule on the HCC mobile unit outreach and screening programs, visit http://www.hcc.musc.edu or call 792-0878.     Friday, June 22, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.