Professional Snowboarder Chris Klug Urges Fellow Organ-Transplant Recipients to Know Their Skin Cancer Risk

SCHAUMBURG, IL--(Marketwire - Feb 21, 2013) - Organ donation is a life-saving gift to people with serious medical conditions. After surgery, organ transplant recipients can often return back to their daily activities thanks to medications that suppress the immune system to prevent organ rejection. However, taking these life-saving medicines also puts recipients at a higher risk for skin cancer, and skin cancer among recipients tends to be more aggressive and spreads more quickly than in other patients.

That's why professional snowboarder and Olympic bronze medalist Chris Klug, himself an organ transplant recipient, is serving as a SPOTlighter with the American Academy of Dermatology's (Academy) SPOT Skin Cancer™ initiative. Chris was diagnosed in 1991 with primary sclerosing cholangitits, a rare degenerative bile duct condition. In July 2000, he received a liver transplant and was back on the World Cup circuit four months later. In 2002, Chris won a bronze medal at the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. He's helping get the word out about skin cancer risks among fellow transplant recipients in a new video and flyer posted to the SpotSkinCancer.org website. The video also is posted to YouTube.

"I have to be especially vigilant about skin cancer since I'm often outdoors and I have a family history of skin cancer," said Chris. "One of the most valuable lessons I learned through the transplant experience was to not take life for granted. Organ transplant recipients have been given a second chance at life. We shouldn't let skin cancer take that away."

Research shows that 20 years after receiving an organ, recipients who live in a moderate climate have a 40 percent increased risk of developing skin cancer. While transplant medication plays a key role, unprotected sun exposure also affects a person's risk. The Academy recommends everyone, including transplant recipients, follow these tips for preventing skin cancer:

• Seek shade when appropriate. Remember that the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If your shadow appears to be shorter than you are, seek shade.
• Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, where possible.
• Generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or more to all exposed skin. "Broad-spectrum" provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Reapply approximately every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
• Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand because they reflect and intensify the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chances of sunburn.
• Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look tan, consider using a self-tanning product or spray, but continue to use sunscreen with it.

"It's especially important that organ transplant recipients screen themselves often for skin cancer and see a dermatologist regularly for a check-up," said Daniel M. Siegel, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and president of the Academy. "Skin cancer is more easily treated when caught early."

Join Chris in the fight against skin cancer by visiting SpotSkinCancer.org to learn how to perform a skin self-exam, download a body mole map for tracking changes in your skin, and find free skin cancer screenings in your area. Those affected by skin cancer also can share their story on the website and download free materials to educate others in their community.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. On average, one person dies from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, every hour, yet melanoma, when caught early, is highly curable.

Celebrating 75 years of promoting skin, hair and nail health
Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 17,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the Academy at 1-888-462-DERM (3376) or www.aad.org. Follow the Academy on Facebook (American Academy of Dermatology) or Twitter (@AADskin).

To view this release in a media-rich version, go to: http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2013/aad/organ_transplant_recipients/