South Carolina Dermatologists Win Tennis Fans' Attention With Free Skin Cancer Checks and Sun Safety Tips

Physicians catch high percentage of skin cancers at Women’s Dermatologic Society outreach at Family Circle Cup

CHARLESTON, SC – May 6, 2009 – As champions of sun safety and skin health, South Carolina physicians representing the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS) provided free skin cancer screenings and education for fans enjoying the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, SC recently. In a busy day of outreach, local dermatologists referred 38% of the tennis enthusiasts screened for further diagnosis or biopsy of suspicious sites on the skin.

Board-certified South Carolina dermatologist Marguerite Germain, MD (Mt. Pleasant) led the local effort as part of Play Safe in the Sun, a 3-year community service campaign presented in collaborative partnership with L’Oreal USA.

As we enter the second year of this outreach, we know that educating the public about sun safety is critical. We are proud to be a part of this nationwide effort as we, along with the WDS, continue to inform both players and spectators of outdoor sports about the importance of sun protection, comments Philippe Patsalides, General Manager, Active Cosmetics Division.

Board-certified dermatologists who volunteered for the skin cancer screenings include: Event chair Marguerite Germain, MD, Marta Hampton, MD, Annette Lynn, MD, Jennifer Steele, MD and Eleanor Sahn, MD. Volunteer support was provided by: Jennifer Donahue, Lindsay Francum, Louisa Gill, Natalie Riley, Jessi Scatterfield, and Rebekah Shapira. Gene Colon, Esq, of L’Oreal USA also volunteered at the outreach.

Highlights from this event include:

• Board-certified dermatologists conducted 89 skin cancer screenings for tennis fans.
• A significant 38% of the individuals screened were referred for further diagnosis/biopsy of suspicious sites presumptively diagnosed as skin cancers;
• 4,000 samples of free broad-spectrum sunscreen were distributed to the public with reminders to re-apply every two hours!
• Charleston Mayor Joseph Riley proclaimed a citywide Play Safe in the Sun Day to help raise awareness of the importance of sun safety.

The 3-year outreach campaign is made possible through a generous grant from L’Oreal USA to the WDS Foundation. Sun protection product donations were provided by Garnier.

WDS members Adrienne Stewart, MD (Denver, CO) and Michel McDonald, MD (Nashville, TN) serve as co-chairs of the WDS Service Committee, leading the national Play Safe in the Sun campaign. The volunteer outreach draws from the organization’s 1,600 members to heighten sun safety awareness and promote healthy skin practices among outdoor sports enthusiasts. For further information, please visit: www.playsafeinthesun.org or www.womensderm.org.

ABOUT WDS
The Women’s Dermatologic Society supports the careers and professional development of women dermatologists. The mission of the Women’s Dermatologic Society is to help women in dermatology achieve their greatest personal and professional potential by striving to foster, promote, and support women’s issues in dermatology; identify, train, and recognize women leaders in dermatology; provide a forum for developing relationships and the exchange of ideas and research relevant to women’s issues; and promote the highest possible standards of ethics, research, patient care and education, as well as public education.

ABOUT L’OREAL USA
L’Oreal USA, headquartered in New York City, is a wholly owned subsidiary of L’Oreal SA, one of the world’s leading beauty companies. L’Oreal USA has Research and Development, Manufacturing and Distribution facilities across eight states in the U.S, including New York, New Jersey, Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Ohio, Colorado and Texas. L’Oreal’s impressive portfolio of brands includes Lancome, Giorgio Armani, Shu Uemura, L’Oreal Paris, Garnier, Vichy, La Roche-Posay, L’Oreal Professionel and Kerastase. The U.S. is the base for the product development, international marketing and advertising for L’Oreal’s nine American brands: Maybelline New York, Soft-Sheen, Carson, Kiehl’s Since 1851, Ralph Lauren Fragrances, Redken 5th Avenue NYC, Matrix, Mizani, SkinCeuticals and PureOlogy.