Summer is here and sunscreen is being applied everywhere under the sun. Although many understand why sun protection is necessary, few still believe in the power of covering up. The Skin Cancer Foundation took to making the life-changing message of sun protection vs. skin cancer more aware by creating a different kind of dermatologist’s office. Destination: Healthy Skin was created by the Skin Cancer Foundation in 2017 as a way to increase engagement of their previous road trip project, The Road to Healthy Skin, that brought local dermatologists and the general public together for free skin cancer screenings and education.
Before Destination: Healthy Skin and The Road to Healthy Skin, The Skin Care Foundation was mostly used for educational purposes giving the general public a look into what the true causes of skin cancer are and how to prevent cancer by using sunscreen and other sun protection. But the foundation needed a better way to reach more people and spread the word.
Dan Latore, Executive Director of The Skin Cancer Foundation, said, “Performing screenings was a great service, but the program lacked engagement from the community and we were missing an opportunity to change people’s attitudes and behaviors… We knew we could not screen everyone, every year, so we developed our latest concept that aimed to encourage a lifestyle that will help prevent skin cancers in the long run.”
That’s when the foundation settled on an RV for their travels across the country. The RV allowed for privacy during screenings, climate control to keep patients comfortable, and provided a mobility to the screenings that had not been seen before. Latore talked a little about their success in their first year, “In the first few months of the initial year, we knew we were on to something because we had people lining up on-site even before the RV arrived.”
“Skin cancer screenings are first come, first served and subject to dermatologist availability at the Destination Healthy Skin RV.” [Photo Credit: The Skin Cancer Foundation]
Now, Destination: Healthy Skin has the opportunity to stay in each town for 2-3 days instead of their previous one-day screening experience. Latore said they have grown their community engagement to bring more and more people to their door: “We are visiting areas where people are already gathering and local dermatologists, businesses, celebrities and sports teams are participating to strengthen the message. In many communities we have ‘Champions’ that are helping us establish a deeper connection to the community.”
After its first year as Destination: Healthy Skin in 2017, the program provided 800 free skin cancer screenings. Thirty-two volunteer dermatologists identified over 200 suspected skin cancers. Thousands of pedestrians had the opportunity to learn about the importance of sun protection and how to prevent skin cancer, too.
Latore says that 2018 is aimed to reach new levels of exposure among various communities. As the Destination: Healthy Skin RV drives on this year, The Skin Cancer Foundation believes they will reach tens of thousands of people with their message by the end of 2018.
Why are so many people making their way to the RV? Destination: Healthy Skin provides anyone and everyone with FREE skin cancer screenings provided by local dermatologists who volunteer their time in every city. Along with the screenings, patients receive sunscreen samples and are given educational pamphlets illuminating the signs of early onset common cancers like melanoma and carcinoma, and are provided ways to protect the skin from sun exposure and dangerous UVA or UVB rays.
The exam itself is rather simple. Once on board the RV, each person will be given a full body screening from a local dermatologist. After changing into a gown, the dermatologist will investigate the skin from head to toe. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that each person who visits for a screening come without makeup or nail polish on to ensure a thorough screening. The exam itself takes ten minutes and every patient will be advised on what their next steps should be if any signs of cancer are found.
Latore says that RVers are especially prone to skin cancers. “For years, dermatologists have observed that patients in the U.S. often have more sun damage (which can lead to wrinkles, leathering, sagging, brown “age” spots and ultimately skin cancer) on the left side of their faces than on the right. Why? Research increasingly points to ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation penetrating through car windows.” While both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from the sun can harm the skin and lead to skin cancers, UVB is effectively blocked by glass. However, at least 50 percent of UVA rays can pass through windows. If you're inside your car or house, if you're sitting next to a window with sunlight streaming in, you're at risk for UV damage. Not only will the UVA rays reach RVers hitting the open road, those that frequently visit warm and sunny places are at a higher risk of skin cancer.
Destination: Healthy Skin will be stopping in 15 different cities, including Miami, Houston, Seattle, Chicago, and more, in 2018. The RV makes its way across the country in just a few months’ time and will be back for 2019. For the full Destination: Healthy Skin travel schedule you can view their tour dates here.
For those unable to visit Destination: Healthy Skin this year, The Skin Cancer Foundation provided a list of ways to prevent skin cancer while on the road:
· Seek shade, especially during 10AM-4PM when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
· Clothing is the first line of defense. Cover up with long sleeves or pants when possible.
· Hats and UV-blocking sunglasses are great ways to protect the face.
· Use a broad-spectrum SPF of 15 or higher each day.
· Always use broad-spectrum SPFs as they provide protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
· Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
· See a dermatologist annually for a skin cancer exam and checkup to ensure everything is in tip top shape.
By making an effort to band together with locals, Destination: Healthy Skin has brought their message to the public in a new way. Latore quotes an old adage that perfectly puts the program into perspective: “Give someone a fish and they eat for a day…teach them how to fish and they are never hungry again.” The Skin Cancer Foundation has found a way of providing the public with a life-changing message. By bringing the knowledge and power to the people, Destination: Healthy Skin is making waves in the way people protect their skin this summer.