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A diagnosis of cancer affects not only the patient – it sends ripples of shock and fear through his or her loved ones.
Micah Pickett was just 23 years old when he was diagnosed with metastatic malignant melanoma in 2005. The lump on his neck seemed innocent enough, but fortunately he had it checked out. The Lake High School graduate faced six surgeries, including total radical neck dissection.
Micah is lucky – today he’s doing well though he still goes for check-ups and full-body scans every six months. Many who are diagnosed are not so fortunate.
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Micah Pickett, shown with son Haiden, was diagnosed
with metastatic malignant melanoma in 2005. To raise
awareness and funds for skin cancer research and
support, his mom and mother-in-law organized the
annual Safe in the Shade 5K walk for melanoma,
which will be held May 21 at Maumee Bay State Park. |
According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common of all cancers and although melanoma accounts for less than 5 percent of skin cancer cases, it causes the most skin cancer deaths.
The bad news is that ACS statistics show the number of new cases of melanoma in the United States has been increasing for at least 30 years. The good news – if it is recognized and treated early, it is almost always curable. If not, the cancer can advance and spread to other parts of the body, where it becomes hard to treat or even fatal.
Spreading the word
In 2009, grateful that Micah was doing well and determined to spare other families from the nightmare their family went through, his mom, Cindy Pickett, of Elmore and his mother-in-law, Eleanor Riffle, of Millbury, organized a walk-a-thon to spread the word about skin cancer awareness and to raise funds for cancer research and patient support.
The event, held at Maumee Bay State Park, drew 40 participants and raised about $2,500 that was donated to the Melanoma International Foundation.
Encouraged by their success and determined to keep the effort going, last year’s event was even bigger, drawing 130 participants. Proceeds raised went to the Victory Center, a local organization that supports and educates cancer patients and their families.
Hoping the trend continues, Pickett and Riffle are hoping to see even more participants in this year’s Safe in the Shade 5K Walk for Melanoma, which will be held May 21 at 9 a.m. Maumee Bay State Park Shelter #2. The registration fee is $20 in advance (online at safeintheshade.com), which includes a t-shirt. Participants can also register the day of the event between 8 and 8:30 a.m., for a fee of $25, with no guarantee of a t-shirt. In addition to the walk, there will be informational displays, a visit with Ronald McDonald, goodie bags, raffles for a wide array of prizes and more.
Funds raised will be donated to support local skin cancer research and toward an effort to buy shade covers for local playgrounds and daycares, Riffle said.
Safe in the Shade
Pickett and Riffle encourage participants – and everyone else – to practice these easy tips to reduce the risk of skin cancer.
• Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreens should be applied 20 to 30 minutes before going out in the sun and re-applied every two hours.
• Wear protective clothing – this includes a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt and pants. Don’t forget sunglasses – wear anti-reflective polarized lenses that block out 100 percent of UV rays.
• Avoid tanning beds. People who start using tanning beds before age 35 increase the risk of melanoma by 75 percent.
• Limit sun exposure from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.
• Routinely check your whole body. Remember the ABCDEs of melanoma
A: Asymmetry – if you draw a line through the mole or lesion, the two halves don’t match.
B: Border – The borders of an early melanoma tend to be uneven. The edges may be scalloped or notched.
C: Color – the pigmentation is not uniform. Different shades of tan, brown, or black are often present and dashes of red, white, and blue can add to the mottled appearance.
D: Diameter – Melanomas usually are greater than 6mm – the size of a pencil eraser in diameter when diagnosed, but they can be smaller.
E: Evolving – Any change in size, shape, color, elevation or another trait, or any new symptom such as bleeding, itching or crusting warrants a trip to the dermatologist.
Screening offered
In observance of National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, ProMedica will offer free skin screenings May 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Luke’s Hospital Outpatient Center, 5901 Monclova Rd., Maumee. To register or for more information, call 419-897-8484.
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