Sunburned: Confessions of a Skin Cancer Survivor

Over 25 years ago, Kurt Vonnegut purportedly began a commencement speech to a college class by stating, “Ladies and gentlemen of the Class of ’97: Wear sunscreen.” But even if he didn’t make this proclamation, it represents profound advice for anyone, especially divers who are in or on the water for hours a day.

I should know. I’ve been worshipping the sun since spending ten childhood summers in Sonoma, California, about 110 km (70 miles) northeast of my foggy hometown of San Francisco. In this idyllic Wine Country setting, a typical day in July or August by the pool can hit 38 degrees C. (100.4 degrees F) vs. a tepid 21 degrees C. (70 degrees F.) in the City by The Bay near the chilly 11 degrees C (50 degrees F.) Pacific Ocean.
Our Dad even taught us bad habits that caused a great many sunburns. He introduced our family to Baby Oil with a few drops of iodine added to further darken our skin instead of protecting it.

How The Ozone Layer Contributes to Sunburns

Way back in the 1990s, the discovery of a hole in Earth’s ozone layer in the stratosphere 10 to 50km (6.2 to 31.0 miles) above Halley Bay in Antarctica in particular, and the Southern Hemisphere in general, was a potential environmental crisis that sent shockwaves worldwide.
This layer acts as an invisible shield that absorbs the sun’s damaging UV radiation. Without it, we’d all be lobster-red with perpetual sunburns. Fortunately, the world’s scientists worked together in the 1990s and early-2000s to halt the production of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in aerosols and cooling devices, as well as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

My Personal Bouts With Skin Cancer

Being extremely active as a scuba diver, snorkeler, swimmer, sailor, jogger, baseball player, golfer, hiker, and skier has led to frequently barbecued ribs, braised shoulders, baked legs, and blistered foreheads –– with me as the sun’s entrée.
My skin cancer history is not pretty, either. I burned my nose so many times in my youth that I wore a plastic nose guard clipped to my sunglasses in my teens. (Yeah, I was a real babe magnet.) But my twin brother and I (shown in this photo above) held annual “tan” contests to see who could get the darkest to win the "Golden Skin" medal. That photo was taken on the last day of summer when we were 19 and had spent the entire summer by the pool of a summer rental in Marin County north of the Golden Gate Bridge, then three weeks in Hawaii.

But I’ve learned my lesson –– even if my bro has not –– I have my dermatologist on speed dial. I’ve survived Basal cell carcinoma on my back a few years ago, countless liquid nitrogen sprays to freeze off pre-cancerous growths on my face, even Mohs surgery for a skin cancer legion on my cheek where the doctor had to remove thin layers of skin, one at a time, and determine if any cancer remained.

Now to protect myself, I never leave the house without sun protection on my arms, legs, or head. (See below for some tips.)

A Few Fast Facts All Divers Should Know

According to SunSmart.org.nz:

• Skin cancer, including melanoma (the most dangerous type), is New Zealand’s most common cancer as well as the world’s
  
• Blondes and redheads have a two to four times higher risk of skin cancer development
  
• Skin cancers account for 80% of all new cancers annually
  
• More than 2,000 melanomas are reported each year in N.Z.
  
• Even one blistering sunburn as a child or teen can more than double your chances of developing melanoma in later years
  
• But if you’ve experienced five or more sunburns, that more than doubles your chance of developing a potentially deadly melanoma
  

These Sunburn-Prevention Tips Can Help

Reducing your risk is easy if you practice “sun safety” because 90% of skin cancers can be prevented. These tips include:

• Using a sunblock with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more when exposed to the sun, even when you're simply running errands. if you're going to a pool, a beach, or on a boat, a 30 to 50 SPF will protect you better, longer –– especially if you choose one that's sweatproof and waterproof. (I use 50 to 100 SPF sunblock.)
  
• Switch to Reef-Safe Sun Screens to ensure that marine sanctuaries are protected from harmful chemicals.
  
• The lighter your skin, the higher your SPF number should be. Ask your dermatologist or doctor what he/she recommends.
  
• For maximum effectiveness, reapply your sunscreen every 60 to 90 minutes, especially after swimming. Read the package instructions for how often the manufacturer recommends.
  
• Use make-ups with sunscreen protection. Some clothes will protect you, but tightly woven, dry clothing is most effective.
  
• Always wear a broad-brimmed hat, T-shirts, long pants, and sunglasses to shade your body and prevent sunburn. (My Tilley Hat is rated UPF 50+ sun protection, as is my rash guard.)
  
• Stop taking any elective photosensitizing medications while you're on vacation, such as Tetracycline and Retin-A for acne.
  
• Be aware that you can still burn on a cloudy day, and reflective surfaces like water, sand, and concrete, can heighten your exposure.
  
• Finally, remember that the most harmful and intense ultraviolet rays are between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. –– so avoid prolonged exposures during these times.
  

Remember to always take care of your skin.
By preventing sunburns now, your epidermis will thank you later.