Tucsonans can swing “fore” sun safety this fall at the Third Annual Fight Melanoma Golf Tournament on Nov. 8 at Omni Tucson National Resort and Spa.
“We are happy to be out there raising money and promoting awareness about skin cancer and sun safety,” said Lisa Quale, health educator for the University of Arizona Cancer Center Skin Cancer Institute. “This is not only a fundraiser for the University of Arizona Skin Cancer Institute, but an opportunity to get people out to learn about melanoma and other skin cancers and get them excited about wearing sunscreen.”
Quale is on a quest to promote awareness about basal and squamous cell carcinomas and about melanoma — the less common but more deadly form of skin cancer that can spread rapidly to other organs if not detected early.
The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 100,000 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed nationwide in 2025, and more than 8,400 people will die from the disease. For the most part, melanoma is preventable; and the sun is a major factor in most skin cancers. Over 20 years promoting skin cancer education, Quale said that she has seen progress.
Supporters of the University of Arizona Cancer Center Skin Cancer Institute (pictured above last year) hope to promote awareness about skin cancer and sun safety at the Third Annual Fight Melanoma Golf Tournament.
“People are more aware not only of the damage the sun can do to their skin, but they are also becoming more sunscreen savvy,” Quale said. “They are more aware that tanning beds can cause cancer, that they shouldn’t be out during the peak hours of the day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and that sunburns are really bad for them, so they need to cover up and stay in the shade.”
Quale recommends a sun protection routine comprised of sunscreens with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 50 or higher. She also prefers sunscreens containing zinc oxide — which she calls “the gold standard,” titanium dioxide or Avobenzone, a chemical that absorbs and neutralizes ultraviolet radiation from the sun before it can cause damage.
Additionally, she advocates personal skin awareness about moles, birthmarks and other spots and encourages monthly self-exams of the body, face and scalp; spots that itch bleed or tingle should be checked by a physician.
“People need to have their skin checked annually and need to check their own skin every month,” Quale said. “You need to put it on your list of things to do. I tell women to do it at the same time as their self breast exam.”
