The Belmar Mayors Wellness Committee, the Monmouth Cancer Coalition and Centra State Medical Center, Freehold, presented “Choose Your Cover” skin cancer screenings June 25 at Taylor Pavilion, Fifth and Ocean Avenues.
The event was Belmar’s second involvement with Choose Your Cover.
“Last year, Pat Virga of the Cancer Coalition reached out to Belmar to have the event here in Belmar. As councilwoman and chair of Belmar’s Mayors Wellness Campaign, I offered my services to help with organizing the event on this end,” said Belmar Councilwoman Claire Deicke.
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The screenings were sponsored by the all-volunteer Monmouth Cancer Coalition based at Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey, Red Bank, and six more screenings were held at local beach towns during the state-wide effort June 25. Melanoma in New Jersey is a serious threat where the number of new melanoma cases is the fifth highest in the nation
Coordinator Pat Virga of the Cancer Coalition said, “We believe it’s very important for people to be checked for skin cancer on a regular basis. People need to be very diligent and vigilant to be screened on a regular basis.”
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She continued, “We can cure melanoma if you get it in the early stages; if you catch it in the later stages, it can be deadly.”
According to the Coalition, overexposure to sunlight is one of the most preventable risk factors for all types of skin cancer, which is why it is important to “Choose Your Cover” to reduce risk.
Dermatologists and medical staff from Centra State Medical Center conducted the exams, and referred those who needed to follow up due to suspicious findings.
“This is our second year – we screened more than 200 people last year. We had an overwhelming response,” said Dianne Errichetti, RN-MSM, Holmdel, a nurse from Centra State. “I’m doing this because this is our mission at the hospital.”
The full-body exams took approximately five minutes, and were done by licensed practitioners or doctors in accordance with American Academy of Dermatology guidelines. Conferences with staff after the screenings also offered those in attendance the opportunity to speak with medical professionals. Sunscreen, and literature on the subject of skin cancer was also available at the event.
There were approximately 25 people – most over the age of 60 – already lined up at 9:30 a.m. Down on the beach, Belmar beach personnel were taking a pro-active approach, announcing the screenings over the lifeguards’ walkie talkies. Lifeguard Nicole Delnero, Spring Lake Heights, said she’d probably go to the screenings.
“I went last year – I thought it was great. My mom really wanted me to go – it was fast and simple. I’m out in the sun eight hours a day, six days a week,” she stated.
Definitely getting screened was guard Joe Ace, Neptune, who said, “I went last year. I was happy I went. I’m going to keep it up. You feel relieved afterward – I had two moles on my back, but they came out negative.”
One fair blonde lifeguard who was approached said he wasn’t going to the screenings … but, he goes to the dermatologist bi-annually.
A guard who hails from Ireland, Conor Hillick, Belmar, said, “I went last year. I’ve got nothing to lose by going. It’s important to look after your skin – better safe than sorry.”
Even some beach badge checkers were interested in the screenings. Allyson Ferrara, Belmar, stated, “I went last year – I’m going. I sit in the sun all day. I might as well – it’s a free cancer reading.”
According to the State of New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services Office of Cancer Control and Prevention, which funds the screenings, exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a major risk factor for melanoma, and artificial UVR exposure – such as that experienced in tanning beds and booths, significantly increases the risk of developing melanoma and other skin cancers.
The Monmouth Cancer Coalition offers the following top 10 sun safety tips:
- Seek the shade, especially during the sun’s peak hours of 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher
- Cover up with clothing, especially a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses
- Avoid tanning parlors and artificial tanning devices
- Keep newborns out of the sun
- Teach children good sun-protective practices
- Examine your skin from head to toe once every month
- Have a professional examination annually
- Avoid tanning, and especially do not burn! One blistering sunburn doubles your risk for skin cancer
- Reapply sunscreen often, especially after going in the water.
Protection from UV rays is the easiest way to eliminate the most common risk factor for cutaneous melanoma, and reducing exposure to artificial UVR is an important step in reducing melanoma.
Individuals who missed the screenings may also get screenings done off-season, either during the winter or spring, at the participating hospitals who screened during Choose Your Cover in Belmar. Most screenings are free. For more information, visit www.chooseyourcover.org.
