Dear Golf Doctor:
I'm having some trouble with my putting. I seem to visualize my
line well, but when I stand over my putt, I lose the line. Could it
be that the pearly-white raised nodule on the right side of my nose
that has been increasing in size and puts a glare into my eye is
ruining my short game? How do I eliminate the glare?&endash;Seamus
Ryan, WPB
Dear Seamus:
I think you've put your finger on the source of the problem. To
eliminate the glare, you can use "eye black" like the baseball
outfielders use, or vanishing cream concealer from your wife, or some
powder. But wait...if you are asking the golf doctor for advice and
you know what a marginal putter I am, you probably want the medical
spin on this issue. So here it is - you probably have skin cancer.
Yes, that's right. CANCER. A terrible word that strikes fear into
anyone born before World War II.
The fact of the matter is, if you hang around long enough,
you're going to get some form of the big "C." And, if you have to
pick a type, skin cancer (specifically basal cell or
squamous cell) is a good one. It's also the type of cancer
that usually lands a celebrity on the front of one of the tabloids
(you know, "Sue Starr has CANCER").
The signs and symptoms of skin cancer are easy to recognize.
Scaliness, bleeding, oozing or a change in appearance of a bump or
nodule should arouse suspicion. A change in sensation, itchiness,
tenderness or presence of pain are also signs that a lesion should be
evaluated. Early detection is critical. It is rare for an early
detected basal or squamous cell cancer to spread or metastasize.
Basal and squamous cell skin cancers often take the form of a pale,
waxlike, pearly nodule or a red, scaly, sharply outlined patch. These
are reasonably easily treated with surgery (excisional biopsy),
electrodessication (destruction by heat) or cryosurgery (destruction
by freezing). Certain lesions may require specialized techniques
(Moh's surgery) or a plastic surgeon if difficult-to-heal areas
(nose, ear, lip, eyelid) or large lesions are involved. Again, the
key is early detection. If you are fair-skinned and have been
sun-exposed for seven decades, chances are you have a few of these
suspicious lesions. They are either treatable cancers or
pre-cancerous actinic keratoses. In the meantime, slather on the
sunblock (SPF 30 or higher) and don't forget the ears!
All skin cancer is not such a walk in the park. MELANOMA can
kill. I personally know many young people who have died from
malignant melanoma which has spread to other body parts. In fact,
7,500 people per year die from melanoma. The incidence (new
diagnosis) of melanoma is increasing about 4% per year, and areas
where sun exposure is great (e.g., Florida) have the highest
prevalance. Melanoma occurs over ten times more frequently in whites
than in blacks, and whites of northern European descent are more
susceptible.
Melanomas often start as small, mole-like growths that increase
in size, change color, become ulcerated and bleed easily from slight
injury. The sophisticated golfer can detect melanoma using these ABCD
guidelines:
A is for asymmetry (one half of the mole doesn't match the
other).
B is for border irregularity (ragged, notched or blurred).
C is for color change (lack of uniformity or blue/black/white
coloration).
D is for diameter greater than 6mm (about the size of a pencil
eraser).
If you are concerned, have it checked out. Survival rate for
localized melanoma is 93%; melanoma with regional metastasis is 57%;
15% for melanoma with distant disease.
So the message is - Wear a hat, use sunblock (ears and nose),
check your own body monthly (every time you change the water in your
humidor is a good way to remember it) and if you find anything
suspicious, get it removed. Your putting should improve after your
visit to the dermatologist!
Michael Leighton, M.D. is an avid golfer who specializes in
orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine. He can be reached at
Atlantis Orthopaedics, 561-967-4400 or by e-mail at
KNEESURG@aol.comMichael Leighton, M.D. is an avid golfer who
specializes in orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine. He can be
reached at Atlantis Orthopaedics, 561-967-4400 or by e-mail at
KNEESURG@aol.com
