SKIN CANCER

The adverse effects of sun exposure often show up later in life.

That’s a harsh lesson 48-year-old Glenn Cowham learned as an adult. Since 2001, the Tavares resident has had melanoma— the deadliest form of skin cancer—removed from his body on five occasions. He developed two lesions on his back, one on his shoulder, one on his chest, and a precancerous lesion on his right hand.

Cowham says his skin cancer likely stems from overexposure to sun during childhood. As a little boy, summertime meant being shirtless—whether he was playing outside with friends in his Alabama hometown or running up and down Panama City Beach while visiting his grandparents. During his teenage years, he was a member of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps and rarely wore a shirt because the group routinely practiced outside.

“Back in those days, nobody ever worried about using sunscreen,” says Cowham, a Realtor and property manager with ERA Grizzard Real Estate. “If you became sunburned, you put cream on it and got on with your day.”

Cowham does count his blessings, though. During his youth, wearing a baseball cap outside was every bit as popular as being shirtless. He suspects that’s why he never developed melanoma on his head or face.

“I also played baseball, so I had a cap on pretty much at all times,” he says.

Cowham takes extreme caution these days. He visits his dermatologist every three to six months for regular screenings. And never mows the lawn or takes an occasional fishing trip without lathering up with sunscreen consisting of a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.

“There’s a price to be paid for those hoping to have the ultimate suntan,” he says. “You’ve got to be proactive and smart by covering up.”