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CNN Live Today
Dermatologist Roams Beaches to Save Skin
Aired July 02, 2002 - 10:24 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Summer beach season is here, which means a heightened risk of overexposure to the sun for countless people.
Our medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, has the story of one dermatologist who is on a personal mission to warn sun worshipers about the danger.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: So what is it that you're doing here at the beach?
DR. TED DALY, DERMATOLOGIST: Well, other than enjoying the day, I'm out here, really, to try to increase consciousness of people that melanoma keeps going up 4 to 5 percent every year. And melanoma is a killer skin cancer. In 2010, its going to be 1 in 50 people, and you know, its now 1 in 68. I mean, it just keeps going up and up.
And its a problem because if you dont get it early, you have a good chance of dying. I see 50-year-old patients come in and say, Im never in the sun. And I say, Youve been in the sun for 50 years, you know? And then they understand a bit.
But you need to continue to protect, you need to use a hat, use a shirt, use sunscreen, stay in the shade, stay out 10:00 to 2:00.
GUPTA: You know, everyone knows those messages, and they even -- weve been airing them forever, as well. Why are people still out here not protected?
DALY: I think that, you know, its a nuisance to put on. People still want a tan. They think that it is, you know, shows affluence or a leisurely lifestyle. Only about 20 percent of the time do kids get enough sunscreen. And you're supposed to put it on every two hours or so. And that's when they get most of their sun, is when theyre kids. You get 80 percent before you're 18.
Boy, you look red already.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I put sunscreen on, though.
DALY: Yes. You put it on before you come? ...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is from the other day.
DALY: It is?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
DALY: Thats all right. You're supposed to put it on every couple of hours, for what that's worth. Its cumulative. And as it adds up, then you have more sun damage. Then youre at higher risk for getting skin cancers, particularly as you get older.
Ive had people ask me, aren't you reducing patients coming in by going out and giving out sunscreen? And I would rather reduce melanomas and have other skin conditions that there is plenty of, because if we can save lives, that's the more valuable thing in life.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA: And for nine summers now, Dr. Daly has been actually making his mission, making his jaunt to the beach and actually informing people about the dangers of sun. Hes become somewhat of a local institution over there, but certainly he said to me, one melanoma prevention is all worth it for him.
KAGAN: You got to respect a doctor who kind of goes out of the office and goes to right where the problem is. You walked on the beach there with him. What kind of reaction did he get? Did anybody say, you know, get out of my face, I want my tan.
GUPTA: Well, you know, for one thing, hes sort of like the Pied Piper of the Long Island Beach there. Kids were just flocking to him and getting all their free samples of sunscreen, but also getting the information.
He did tell me a funny story. He actually went to a nude beach once as well.
KAGAN: Really?
GUPTA: Yes, and it wasnt as positive of a reception there, I guess, but he was just doing his job. Thats what he told me.
KAGAN: Just doing his job. I guess if youre at a nude beach, youre really into the skin sun exposure.
GUPTA: You really need to be covered up and protected.
KAGAN: Yes, extra careful. OK, other questions ahead about, Im sure, people have about what to do, whether you go to a beach or whatever kind of beach you go to, if youre just at the pool.
GUPTA: Right.
KAGAN: And so, were going to be taking your questions.
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