SAN DIEGO, CA …..May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month; a time for golfers to learn how to protect themselves in the sun and to schedule an exam to see what sun damage they may have incurred. The Sun SafeTee Program is committed to delivering that message.
“This year over 1,000,000 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer. Since golfers spend a significant amount of time in the sun, they are at a greater risk than the general public for developing skin cancer” according to Sun SafeTee Board member Curt Littler, MD.
Dr. Littler went on to say “ The good news is that many forms of skin cancer when caught early can be curable. Being knowledgeable and doing a self-exam and/or visiting a Dermatologist can dramatically increase one’s likelihood of early detection and successful treatment. Education is the key to both preventing skin cancer and for getting timely treatment.” Littler is the son of U.S. Open Champion Gene Littler and is a Board Certified Dermatologist.
In regard to sun protection, The Sun SafeTee Program suggests that golfers should always use sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 and one that has broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) coverage. Since most sunscreens only last for two hours, the motto of the Sun SafeTee Program is "Don't burn...Reapply at the turn". A long sleeve shirt, long pants and a wide brimmed hat also are valuable sun protection tools.
The Sun SafeTee Program is a non-profit sun protection and skin cancer awareness program designed specifically for the golf community. The program provides educational seminars to golf professionals and the public, distributes sun protection information and sunscreen samples at various golf events. The goal of the Sun SafeTee Program is to have golfers enjoy a lifetime of healthy golf.
