Marcia's Story

Awareness about the danger of the sun's rays has always been a part of my life. As a fair-skinned, red-headed child who burned quite easily, my mother made sure to cover me in sunscreen from head to toe whenever I planned to go outside. For this reason, sun protection became part of my daily routine at a very early age.

Though I was too young to realize it at the time, the potential danger of the sun was evidenced through my grandfather. He worked for Western Union and spent hours each day under the sun. I remember he was always in and out of the doctor's office having cancerous growths removed from his face, neck and arms — places that were exposed to harmful UV rays. Skin cancer plagued him throughout his life.

A more recent scare came a few years ago when my cousin was diagnosed with melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. She's younger than I am, and not nearly as fair. I never would have imagined that she would be stricken with such a disease. Thanks to her regimen of regular screenings, her cancer was caught in its earliest stages, and she has made a full recovery. Unfortunately, many people aren't as lucky.

I've learned that even with the measures I take to protect myself, regular skin cancer screenings are a necessity. Each day, I apply Olay Complete Defense SPF 30 to my face, neck and décolletage. It's important to cover any exposed areas with some form of sun protection. On a monthly basis, I scan my body head to toe for changes in moles or beauty marks. Of course, I also schedule annual skin cancer screenings with my dermatologist. In just a few minutes, a trained professional can spot a suspicious mole that I may have overlooked. Even though I've protected myself well, I know that no one, regardless of hair color, skin tone, age or ethnicity, is immune to skin cancer.

Now that I'm a mother, I know how important it is not only to protect my children from the sun, but also to set a good example for them by wearing sun-protective clothing and teaching them that fair skin is beautiful. So many mothers take great strides to protect their children from the sun, but neglect themselves! It's so important, at any age, to do whatever we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the harmful effects of UV rays. Take your friend, your daughter, your husband or just yourself and get a free skin cancer screening at a participating dermatologist's office. Daily sun protection, monthly self-examinations and annual screenings by a trained professional can save your life!

Helping to raise awareness about the risks of skin cancer is something I'm proud to be able to do. But hearing about the disease from a celebrity on television is not nearly as effective at influencing change as hearing about it from a friend or loved one. What's wonderful about 'Skin Cancer Takes Friends' is that it encourages people to not only take action to protect themselves from the risks of skin cancer, but also to tell the people they care about to do the same. Anyone can make a difference by simply reaching out to a friend and sharing information and encouraging them to get a free screening.

Beauty Routine
It's so important to tell the ones you love about the need for sun protection. It's easy for women to buy a daily moisturizer with SPF, but men need sun protection too! Women should do everything they can to encourage their friends and loved ones — husbands, sisters, everyone- to wear UV protection every day!

I've always protected my skin from the sun from childhood through my teens, twenties and now. Even before I was an actress, I protected myself from the sun every day. In my younger days, I didn't think about the potential benefits beyond preventing sunburn, but now I think my skin is truly reaping the rewards from an anti-aging perspective. Sun damage can cause lines, spots and discolorations on skin's surface. Plus I feel I'm far less likely to have to deal with something as serious as skin cancer. The best thing you can do for your skin's health and appearance is protect it from the sun each day.

When I'm not on set, my daily beauty regimen is far less complicated. The first thing I put on every day, though, is moisturizer with sun protection. I used to use the Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer with SPF 15 for sensitive skin, but now I use the Olay Complete Defense SPF 30 Daily Moisturizing Lotion for sensitive skin for that extra protection.

People always assume I'm in disguise or trying to be incognito when they see me outside during the day because I'm always wearing a big hat and sunglasses. The truth is, I'd be dressed like that even if I wasn't an actress! I never step into the hot California sun without my Olay Complete Defense SPF 30 moisturizer, my hat and sunglasses. They're all there to protect me from the sun!

Skin Cancer & You:
Learning How to Self-Screen

YOU are your own first line of defense
Most of the spots on your skin — freckles, birthmarks, moles — are normal, but
some may be more susceptible to skin cancers.

There are three main types of skin cancers:

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Melanoma

Melanoma is the third most common form of skin cancer and the most deadly. Fortunately, each of these can usually be discovered at an early stage when they are readily curable. If you ever spot any freckles, birthmarks, moles or other suspicious or changing growths, see your dermatologist promptly.

The A, B, C, D & E's of Skin Cancer
Learning how to check yourself for signs of skin cancer is the easiest and most important step in reducing your skin cancer risks.

Stand in front of a mirror and check your entire body for moles, freckles, birthmarks or other unusual spots. Use a hand mirror to check any hard-to-see places. Examine each one, and if you notice any showing any signs of the symptoms described below, contact your dermatologist and schedule a skin exam immediately.

Asymmetrical: Most early melanomas are asymmetrical, meaning a line through the middle would not create matching halves. Common moles are round and symmetrical.

Borders: The borders of early melanomas are often uneven and may have scalloped, notched and fuzzy edges. Common moles have smoother, more even borders.

Colors: Common moles usually are a single shade of brown. Varied shades of brown, tan or black can be the first sign of melanoma, and may progress to the colors red, white and blue.

Diameter: Early melanomas usually grow larger than common moles — generally to at least the size of a pencil eraser (about 6mm or ¼" in diameter).

Evolving: When a mole is evolving (changing), see a doctor. Be alert for any change — in size, shape, color, elevation, bleeding, itching, crusting or any other trait — in an existing mole.

The Importance of Skin Cancer Screenings

Early detection is key to beating skin cancer.
Every hour, skin cancer claims another life. Mothers. Sons. Daughters. Fathers. Brothers. Sisters. Friends. No one is immune. But with early detection, skin cancer is almost 100% curable. That's why Olay encourages everyone — young and old — to take action and get a skin cancer screening once a year. A good way to remember is to get your birthday suit checked on your birthday!

What is a skin cancer screening?
A skin cancer screening is simply a close visual inspection of your body skin by a dermatologist. Screenings typically start with your face and hairline, moving to the rest of your body down to the bottoms of your feet. You'll have to undress to your undergarments so the dermatologist can be sure to check any areas that might be difficult for you to monitor. The entire process takes only a few minutes and is completely painless.

Skin cancer self-exams.
If you're fair-skinned or show signs of sun damage, examine your skin at least once a month to search for any spots that seem to have changed in size, color or shape. Be sure to check your neck, chest and torso. Use a bright light, full-length mirror, hand-mirror and blow dryer to inspect hard-to-see areas such as the scalp and back of the neck.

You should also learn the A, B, C, D & E's of Skin Cancer and alert your dermatologist immediately to any of the following key warning signs: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variability, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser and Evolving (changing) size, shape or color of moles.

For more information, please visit www.skincancer.org.

Skin Cancer:Are You At Risk?

Everyone faces the risk of skin cancer. Find out if yours is greater.

The sun's ultraviolet rays are the No. 1 cause of skin cancer, but there are other risk factors to consider. Melanoma is the seventh most common cancer among women, but it is one of the few cancers that can be prevented.

You are at a higher risk if you:

• Have had chronic and prolonged exposure to the sun, meaning multiple sunburns since childhood and years of sunbathing.
• Are fair-skinned or light-skinned. You have more than 20 times greater risk. (However, all skin types need sun protection.)
• Have a family history of skin cancer. If your parents or grandparents — or both — have had it, you may be prone.
• Have a personal history of skin cancer.
• Have had many sunburns early in life.
• Have a large number of moles or have atypical, unusual-looking moles.

Six Steps to Safer Sun

Practice these sun-protection basics
all year round.

Protecting your skin from the sun is easy, as long as you take a few simple preventative measures:

1. Wear SPF sun protection daily
Wear daily sun protection year-round, whether or not you plan to be in the sun. Make sure it's a broad-spectrum sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection and an SPF of at least 15.

2. Stay out of the hot sun
Avoid excessive sun exposure, especially when it's strongest (from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

3. Cover up
Wear protective clothing, like pants, long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.

4. Seek the shade
Standing in the shade works like an SPF. If your shadow is shorter than you are, you're likely to burn.

5. Avoid reflective surfaces
Water, snow, sand, etc. can reflect up to 85% of the sun's rays.

6. See your doctor
Visit your dermatologist for regular skin cancer screenings.