Newswise — As a marathon runner, a healthy lifestyle is a way of life for Ross Forman. So Forman was shocked when a free Loyola Medicine screening at a local race revealed he had early skin cancer.
The running coach for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program suddenly felt he was in a race for his life.
"I had a spot on my chest that was slowly getting bigger," said Forman, of Buffalo Grove, Illinois. "Luckily, and ironically, I saw the 'Free Skin Cancer Screening' booth during a training session along the lakefront in Chicago, but actually hesitated because I thought I wouldn't have enough time and was just going to come back later in the day. Dr. Rebecca Tung immediately told me she would have me in and out in two minutes and performed a quick skin check. When she confirmed my curiosity that the suspicious mole was pre-cancerous, I was stunned."
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer with three million new cases diagnosed each year.
"Runners are outdoors for extended periods of time with exposed flesh and many are not aware of their potential for skin cancer," said Rebecca Tung, MD, division director, dermatology, Loyola University Medical Center. "Loyola is active in offering free skin checks at area races to further education and awareness in those who are especially vulnerable."
Mr. Forman visited the Loyola Center for Health at La Grange Park two days later and had a basal cell carcinoma removed. "When cancer is caught at its earliest stage, as we did with Ross, it has not spread to other organs and can be removed surgically right in the office," said Dr. Tung. "Ross is now cancer-free."
Dr. Tung recommends the following tips for those who practice outdoor sports: • Wear a hat• Apply broad spectrum skin protection• Apply sunscreen from head to toe at least 30 minutes before going outside• Pay attention to protecting the scalp, nose and ears • Reapply sunscreen every two hours• Use a protective lip balm"Try and avoid outdoor activity between noon and 2 pm when the sun is strongest," said Dr. Tung. Mr. Forman now diligently wears sunscreen and cautions his runners to use sun protection as well. "Before most runs, I will ask my team if they applied sunscreen," he said. "We provide it for free and if they haven't, I encourage them to do so -- and will share my story whenever it might help."
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