Columnist Peter Benton: Avoid skin cancer — take precautions

Peter Benton

Wednesday, May 28, 1997 | 10:48 a.m.

MY ANNUAL VISIT to the dermatologist this year coincided with the arrival of the USGA's monthly golf journal, in which two-time U.S. Open champion Andy North was featured.

The irony here is that I had various cancer spots on both arms and face taken off and the more serious looking one surgically removed to be biopsied.

North's article featured the problems he has experienced -- including plastic surgery on his nose -- the result of deep-seated, unattended skin cancer.

Because of our long, hot summer months, there is a higher ratio of "sun worshippers" in Nevada than in other states.

That many people don't relate to the seriousness of the problem is why half a million Americans are inflicted with this insidious disease annually.

Don't think that skin cancer is evidenced only by some hideous sore or some huge and ugly mole -- far from it.

My personal experience has been that a very small pimple-like protrusion on the skin that never seems to go away and a harmless-looking blemish have been the culprits.

One other problem I experienced was finding the odd drop of dried blood on my pillowcase frequently. A closer inspection revealed a tiny sore was found inside my ear. Despite applying various types of ointment it failed to heal.

This was my first experience with skin cancer. It had been there so long and was so deep rooted it had to be cut out (as opposed to the more common freezing off with liquid nitrogen).

Obviously there are many varied ways this disease can manifest itself that are not noticeable to the untrained eye, hence the importance of an annual checkup by a specialist.

It is no coincidence the majority of skin cancer patients are elderly. The sun's rays have a cumulative effect and so it is imperative that precautions be taken at an early age.

It is really vital that golfers -- and all who enjoy being out in the sun for that matter -- be aware of the consequences the sun can cause.

Don't be vain, macho or ignorant. Wear a hat if you're going to be outside and use a sunscreen.

The fourth annual "Silvestri Uncles and Nephews" golf tournament, played recently at the Las Vegas Hilton Country Club despite many laughs and the usual camaraderie, developed into somewhat of a fiasco because of the numerous rules infractions by the winning "Nephews" team.

In spite of continuous protestations by the opposing "Uncles," particularly the cantankerous and oft belligerent captain, Charlie Silvestri, the rules committee upheld the result. Thus the series has been evened at two wins apiece.

Next year: the tiebreaker.