Moffitt’s Mole Patrol Screens 141 Baseball Fans for Skin Cancer

Spring is in the air and baseball season is just around the corner. With fans flocking to ballparks across the state, now is the time to remember to protect yourself from the dangers of skin cancer.

For 15 years, Moffitt Cancer Center has partnered with the Tampa Bay Rays for the Spring Swing® Sun Safety Tour. The program offers free skin cancer screenings at spring training venues throughout Florida. Screeners look for early signs of skin cancer and promote sun safety with help from Moffitt’s Mole Patrol® team.

The 2023 Spring Swing tour included stops in Fort Myers at Lee County Sports Complex and JetBlue Park at Fenway South. The Mole Patrol screened 141 baseball fans during the events and discovered 112 suspicious findings.

The Mole Patrol screened 141 baseball fans during the events and discovered 112 suspicious findings during the 2023 Spring Swing tour.

Regular skin self-exams are important for everyone, but especially those who are at higher risk of developing skin cancer. This includes people with reduced immunity, those previously diagnosed with skin cancer and individuals with a strong family history of the disease.

The Mole Patrol team takes a break from performing screening exams to pose with Wally the Green Monster.

The Spring Swing program has provided more than 5,000 free skin cancer screenings at baseball games throughout the years. Our experts have detected 5,183 suspicious cancerous lesions, including 27 suspected melanomas.

“Unprotected exposure to the sun’s dangerous ultraviolet rays is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer, including melanoma,” said Dr. Frank Glass, dermatology specialist from Moffitt’s Cutaneous Oncology Department. “Be active outdoors in Florida rather than laying there sunbathing, unless maybe if you’re an alligator. We recommend a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to skin exposed despite protective clothing.” 

Moffitt experts also recommend these sun safety tips:

• Limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Seek shade
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours
• Keep children away from excessive sun exposure
• Avoid using tanning beds and tanning oils

“Sunscreens help, but we recommend sun protective clothing when exposed to sunlight for a long period of time,” Glass said. “The clothing is lightweight and cool and reduces the need for broad application of sunscreens. Don’t forget a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.”

For a complete list of upcoming Moffitt skin cancer screening events, visit Moffitt.org/MolePatrol.