The Royal Spanish Golf Federation, together with Solán de Cabras, has promoted the third session of the Golf is Health Breakfasts, a round table made up of prestigious medical specialists who, periodically throughout the year, discuss the beneficial health effects of playing golf.
Following the sessions led by prominent cardiologists and traumatologists at the first two events, the third Golf is Health session, held at the National Golf Center, focused on dermatology and allergology. Sun protection and prevention were key factors highlighted at this gathering of doctors.
In the round table, moderated by Guillermo Salmerón, all participants reaffirmed the need to raise awareness among golfers about the importance of protecting themselves from the sun and preventing possible allergies and skin-related diseases.
Once again, all the doctors present at the meeting insisted that golf is a healthy sport in many aspects, and in this third session it was highlighted again that the practice of this sport brings numerous benefits.
In any case, dermatologists and allergists warn that there is no widespread practice of protection and consider it essential that the clubs themselves promote prevention by advising the use of sunscreen.
A recent study conducted at the Marbella hospital has discovered that 11 percent of golf players suffer from skin cancer and 40 percent have precancerous spots, worrying data that calls for action.
Francisco Carmona and Encarni Carmona are already doing it with Dermaswing, focusing on prevention in golf courses where, they say, "creams are neither recommended nor available.".
For his part, Javier Pedraz, from the Quirón Madrid hospital, emphasized that "the skin has memory" and diseases can appear in the long term and are not necessarily an immediate effect.
“Golfers are a high-risk group,” she asserts, and in addition to emphasizing the importance of sun protection, she warns that cosmetics are also crucial. Sunbathing is being promoted, but the need for sun protection isn't, nor is there any awareness of UV levels or pollen levels—something everyone has acknowledged as necessary and urgent.
Luis Pastor, a dermatologist at Ruber Internacional, acknowledges that "when you leave home you are already exposed to the sun and golf players are among those who take the most care of themselves," but he insists on the need to apply cream every 2 or 3 hours.
And José Luis Martínez believes it would be advisable for the players to have a bracelet that indicates ultraviolet levels.
One of the most frequently identified problems, as Dr. Manuel del Barrio points out, is "the lack of a culture of prevention," and Dr. Mercedes Sáenz de Santamaría believes it's advisable for golfers to carry a small first-aid kit or emergency medication in their bag. "Spain should be a pioneer in prevention," asserted Mercedes Sáenz de Santamaría.
José Antonio Donaire, nephrologist and promoter of these meetings, acknowledged the benefits of golf and wanted to remind everyone that these sessions seek to improve prevention and health education.
