ASDS videos focus on sun protection for men, indoor tanning dangers

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery has released a pair of videos to raise awareness of sun-safe behaviors for men and the dangers of indoor tanning.

The videos are being distributed in conjunction with Skin Cancer Awareness Month in May, according to a press release from the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS).

“We believe these videos have the potential to convince people across the nation to make modest lifestyle adjustments that could save their lives,” ASDS President George J. Hruza, MD, MBA, said in the release.

Terrence Keaney

The video titled, “Guy’s, don’t be like Paul,” which focuses on sun-protective behaviors for men, was spearheaded by Terrence Keaney, MD, an ASDS member and board-certified dermatologist at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, D.C.

In the video, the fictional character is shown committing a series of “skin-care blunders” and having a dismissive attitude toward medical appointments. A public service announcement (PSA) linking to a longer video shows that after ignoring the dermatologists’ advice, the character finds out later he has developed melanoma. Only 30% of men in the U.S. have awareness of skin cancer warning signs, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, according to the release.

“I want to raise awareness of the incidence of skin cancer among men,” Keaney said in the release. “I wanted to incorporate humor while delivering a serious message to the audience about male skin cancer risk and prevention.”

Lisa Pace, a Division I college women’s basketball coach, appears in the second video, titled “Skin cancer: Coach’s toughest opponent.” During the video, the self-described “tan-o-holic” discusses her habit of daily indoor-tanning sessions, which resulted in more than 80 skin cancers, including five melanomas.

Public awareness of the dangers of indoor tanning were not pervasive when Pace attended college, Pace said.

“Skin cancer is avoidable … if you use your sunscreen, stay out of tanning beds,” Pace states in the PSA. “This is something I have to live with for the rest of my life.”

Reference: www.asds.net.