PlaneSWING Golf is Joining the Fight Against Skin Cancer
In March 2022 at age 63 I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma skin cancer on the back of my left arm. Only a chance screening caught this early. Suddenly skin cancer got my attention, something I’ve been pretty blasé about.
My Parents were ex pats and I was born in Africa in 1958. I spent the first 8 years of my life running around Ghana and Nigeria without a top on and no sunscreen. Came to the UK in 1966. From age 12 I started playing golf and turned professional in 1976, rarely if ever using sunscreen. Love beach holidays and bought a villa in Portugal. Spending 6 hours on the beach was never a problem but rarely used above factor 15 sunscreen. In 2016 I moved to Florida permanently. It's almost like I've been trying to get skin cancer my entire life!
That’s why I’m sharing this with you and why I decided to include FREE sun sleeves with every PlaneSWING.
Players spending several hours on a course are exposed to large amounts of UV rays from the sun, with their legs and arms often on show and a survey of more than 300 golfers in Australia found that more than a quarter suffered from skin cancer at some point, compared to just seven per cent of the general population.
Analysis from scientists at the University of Oxford and the University of South Australia found that golfers were 2.4 times more likely to get the condition than non-players.
Scientists advise that golfers wear, and regularly reapply, high SPF sun cream, and wear a hat.
“Golf participants should use high-Sun Protection Factor (SPF) sunscreen reapplied regularly during a round, wear clothing that protects high-exposure areas such as arms, legs, neck and ears and wear broad brimmed hats rather than peaked caps,” the researchers wrote in the study, published in the journal BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine.
“Strategies such as these are particularly important for junior golfers, who may be less aware of the risk of skin cancer, and the need to use skin protection from an early age to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer in later life."
Dr Brad Stenner, the lead author, says the findings highlight the importance of being careful when hitting the fairway.
1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, with more than 2 people dying of skin cancer in the US every hour.
The scientists are also calling on golf courses, and the sport as a whole, to do more to promote skin cancer awareness in a bid to try and protect players. PlaneSWING is taking the lead.
PGA Tour Pros Rory Sabbatini and Adam Scott have had bouts with skin cancer and Ryder Cup legend Tommy Horton sadly died after a long battle.
Not long ago, Sam Billings, the Kent and England cricketer, revealed that he, like me, had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma skin cancer and like me, a screening had caught it early and it was subsequently removed.
.Cancer Research UK confirms that diagnoses across all age groups have reached a record high – with the charity referencing a particular rise in cases.
SkinCancer.org reports that skin cancer is THE MOST COMMON CANCER in the USA and WORLDWIDE!!
1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, with more than 2 people dying of skin cancer in the US every hour.
Having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk of melanoma.
For more information visit skincancer.org