Marika Azzopardi

Rewind to last summer. Remember the health promotion efforts made to remind us all of the risks of excessive sun exposure? Meet a key person behind it all – Dr Lawrence Scerri, who has been Chairman of the Department of Dermatology & Venereology since 2000. Meeting him in his office at Boffa Hospital, we get talking of the long route that led him to this post.

“I specialised in Dermatology in Nottingham and Southampton University Hospitals in the UK, following which I took up an NHS consultant job in Derby UK for one year. I must say that working in the UK was pretty gratifying as the work conditions and the job experience were both excellent. But I couldn’t wait to return to my roots. Mostly I missed our great Maltese weather and the laid-back island style of living.” Today he is one of some 12 specialists in dermatology practising in Malta and Gozo and whilst this number might seem minimal, he claims that the current specialist to patient ratio is adequate to cater for the dermatological needs of the 400,000 odd people living here.

Dr Scerri is not only involved in clinical work but is also kept busy academically as a Senior Lecturer in Dermatology at undergraduate and post-graduate levels at the University of Malta. This apart from being Vice President of the MADV – Maltese Association of Dermatology & Venereology. He also held the position of board director of the largest European scientific dermato-venereological organisation, the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology – EADV, as well as being chairman of the membership committee of this same academy. He currently chairs the CME/ CPD committee of the EADV. Dr. Scerri has been one of Malta’s delegates on the UEMS Dermatology/ Venereology section, which is responsible for harmonising dermato-venereology training in Europe, for the past 12 years. He is also regular journal reviewer of several international and local scientific journals. His main areas of special interest include skin cancer and acne, and he has to date accumulated over 40 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and presented and chaired at numerous international congresses.

We move on to speak of the other branch of his activities, and one which he holds very much at heart – health promotion about skin cancer. “I have been a key local coordinator of the European Melanoma Campaign since its inception in 2000. The main responsibilities circle around the issue of raising awareness about skin cancer.”

My journalistic nose is twitching – has the campaign succeeded in its intent of educating the general public about the dangers of too much sun on our bodies? “The level of public awareness has definitely increased and we can confirm this through a progressive increase in requests for consultations to check moles and a variety of lumps and bumps on the skin. We have been much supported in our efforts by the attention of the media which punctually publishes information and promotes our initiatives each and every year. The campaign has also produced much feedback, mostly from the visual impact of billboards and widely circulated health promotional flyers. Over the past 10 years, I feel our work regarding sun damage caused to the skin has certainly been beneficial. People have slowly come to realise that besides the increased risk of skin cancer there are also cosmetic repercussions, namely premature skin ageing that comes about thanks to excessive sun exposure. This does not mean however that the sun-tan culture has disappeared.”

Some people tend to believe that a healthy dose of sunshine is actually good for the body and is essential for the skin to build adequate amounts of Vitamin D. How true is this? “There is some truth and some myth involved. Indeed a good dose of Vitamin D is essential for maintaining healthy bones, but sun exposure is not a justifiable excuse. It has been scientifically worked out that just 10 to 15 minutes of daily sun exposure is enough to provide the necessary dose of Vitamin D for one day, not to mention that most vitamin D supplementation can be acquired from a healthy balanced diet. You don’t have to religiously roast in the sun at peak time to get your fair share of your ‘D’ requirements.”

Ironically enough, Dr Scerri loves one very sunny activity – boating. He admits, “I adore spending free time boating with my family and friends. I do however take all the necessary precautions to minimise sun damage by covering up and applying generous amounts of sunscreen. I might not come across as the type of person who loves the exhilaration of speed, but I do. Indeed, that is why I have opted to own a sport cabin cruiser rather than a sailing boat. Boating round the Islands is an incomparable experience and a great opportunity to enjoy dips in the clean sea around isolated bays. Fishing was another pastime which I enjoyed especially with my previous smaller boat. Today boating is also an excellent way to socialise with friends and bond with my children, Chiara 17 (first year sixth form, dreaming of becoming a vet), Alex 18 (first year Law student) and Justine 20 (second year Law student).” From talking of boats we move on to talk of tennis and I find that Lawrence Scerri is a dedicated tennis player and has been since he was 10. “I was a student at De La Salle College and one day I saw this racquet on sale in the school tuck-shop. I bought it on the spur of the moment and taught myself to play tennis, and have developed and improved my game ever since through practice, and trial and error.” Playing friendly’s and taking part in tournaments is a regular activity and in 2010 he landed the runner-up in the Men’s Doubles Tournament of the Malta Medical Tennis Association.

Amazingly Dr Scerri also finds time for another great socialising activity – wine tasting. Being an active member of the local wine club “Dielja” has allowed him the luxury of learning more about wines. “I sometimes travel to wine tasting events abroad as well – France and Italy as well as California. In recent years I have learnt to appreciate a good wine, and have become reasonably familiar with the world wine ranging from grape variety, microclimates, region, flavours, complexity, to wine ageing. My favourite wines are the St Emilion Gran Cru wines, Barolos, and Brunello di Montalcino”

Is there more? “Oh yes, I think I have not as yet mentioned that I am a great Manchester United fan following on my father’s footsteps and enticing also my son to follow suit. I’m an avid supporter of this great team and have on several occasions visited the magical Old Trafford Stadium also known as the “Theatre of Dreams” to watch the Red Devils. Luckily every time I watched them “live” they won. When I’m with my son and father, we often end up discussing football and the progress of Manchester United … all three of us – it’s a great way to bridge the generation gap!”