What's that spot on my skin
By Eric Sondeen - Nov 29, 2005

Dr. Steinbaugh examined the thinning “Monks cap” on the top of my head and proclaimed, “That spot is just a benign dried flaky skin area.  As we age our skin goes to Hell.  Just use lotion.”  And so ended my annual skin cancer exam.

Five years ago a small red spot on my forehead that never healed and sometimes bled led me to this dermatologist’s office.  That area turned out to be basil cell carcinoma—the most common type of skin cancer.  Following the initial exam, I scheduled the in-office “Mohs Surgery” where tiny amounts of skin cells are taken until the sampling came back without cancer cells.  The minimal surgery on my face healed well and folks do not notice the area unless I point it out.

Motorcyclists, like other outdoor people, have a lot of unhealthy ultraviolet exposure to bright sunshine.  This circumstance is more intense at higher elevations: e.g., mountain ranges. Summer AND winter, we are exposed to skin changing radiation.  Covering up skin and remembering sunscreen are right in there with checking the tire pressure—a good idea and easily forgotten.

Since my run-in with skin cancer, I’ve learned that the “blue eye, green eye, gray eye, red hair, fair skinned peoples” aka Scandinavian in my case, are at higher risk.   Men with outdoor professions and people with burns, scars, tattoos have higher incidence.

The Skin Cancer Foundation provides 5 warning signs for Basil Cell Carcinoma:
1. An open sore that bleeds, oozes, or crusts and remains open for three or more weeks.  A persistent; non-healing sore is a very common sign of an early BCC.
2. A reddish patch or irritated area, frequently occurring on the chest, shoulders, arms, or legs.  Sometimes the patch crusts.  It may also itch or hurt.  At other times, it persists with no noticeable discomfort.
3. A pink growth with slightly elevated rolled border and a crusted indentation in the center.  As the growth slowly enlarges, tiny blood vessels may develop on the surface.
4. A shiny bump, or nodule, that is pearly or translucent and is often pink, red or white.  The bump can also be tan, black, or brown, especially in the dark-haired people, and can be confused with a mole.
5. A scar like area that is white, yellow or waxy, and often has poorly defined borders; the skin itself appears shiny and taut.  This warning sign can indicate the presence of an aggressive tumor.

Examine skin monthly.  Have a professional skin exam annually.  Have a look at your riding buddy’s skin—you can see regions on the top of their head, behind ears, neck, and back where they are unlikely to notice subtle skin changes.

It is EASY to prevent skin cancer!  Cover up!  Avoid exposures to peak sun hours from 10a to 4p.  Use sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher, and—reapply! I have one of those little carabiner clip sunscreen bottles right on my rear view mirror hanging just under my clutch cable.  No one sees it and it is right there to remind me to apply sunscreen—it takes me 10-20 seconds.  My nurse-tanker refill bottle of SPF 30 waterproof sunscreen is handy inside my TourPak.  I always bring enough to share with fellow riders.  Also, my ball cap is handy when my helmet is removed to protect that thinning spot up top.  The cap’s visor protects my nose and part of my face.

We all love motorcycling and sun! But….
Where is YOUR sunscreen?

For more info and photographs, see www.skincancer.org

Boulder, CO rider, Eric Sondeen pilots his Electra glide any day ice or snow is not underneath.

By Eric Sondeen, Paramedic Lieutenant