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Par for the Course
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 Mark Wilson (left) has taken up the cause of educating golfers about sun protection (PHOTO: Eric Tracy). Another indicator of summer’s arrival is the red face of your golfing buddy who is both embarrassed by a bad shot and dangerously sunburned. We love the sun in Southern California, but two in five Americans will develop skin cancer and approximately 12,000 people will die from it each year. This is more than a don’t-forget-your- sunscreen reminder. It’s about what you think you know about sun protection and what you really need to know. “Applying sunscreen while waiting to hit on the first tee does not protect you right away,” said Mark Wishner, president of Sun SafeTee, a nonprofit organization he formed after becoming a victim of skin cancer. “The effects of a sunscreen need 20 to 30 minutes to be absorbed into your skin.” Wishner asked me if I’d distribute printed Sun SafeTee tips to the golfers playing in charity golf tournaments I organize as The Mulligan Man. I was happy to do it, but I’m not alone. As a PGA professional, Mark Wilson, director of golf at North Ranch Country Club in Thousand Oaks, knew of the sun’s dangers and used sunscreen regularly. But 10 years ago, Wilson was diagnosed with melanoma behind his earlobe. “It was a part of my body I continually missed when applying sunscreen, and even though there is no history of skin cancer in my family, repeated exposure to the sun changed my odds,” he said. “I am now proud to say I am a cancer survivor and I have joined Mark Wishner in getting out the word.” Both men offered more things people need to know: • Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours. A good motto for golfers is, don’t burn, reapply at the turn. • Read the label before buying a sun-protection product. The SPF number is an indication of protection against UVB rays only, but UVA rays are the ones that cause long-term skin damage. • Check your skin regularly to pick up any changes that might suggest skin cancer. Look for crusty, non-healing sores. Check for small red, pale or pearly lumps, new spots, freckles or any moles changing in color, thickness or shape. Have other people check as well. As Wilson told me when I went to see him: “I would’ve never known there was a growth behind my ear if my wife hadn’t noticed and said something to me.” • Wear protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses. Australians have done a great marketing job in telling the entire story of sun protection that goes far beyond sunscreen. “Slip! Slop! Slap! and Slide!” is the Australian catchphrase that reminds people of the four key methods they can use to protect themselves from UV radiation and skin cancers. Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat and slide on sunglasses to protect your eyes and the sensitive skin around them. For more information, or to make a donation, visit sunsafetee.com. Eric Tracy is also known as The Mulligan Man. He consults and performs at charity golf tournaments. Reach him at eric@themulliganman.com. |
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