May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month

May Is Skin Cancer Awareness Month

As we enter into the summer season, this is a good time to be reminded that 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the United State each day.  Additionally 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70.  However, skin cancer is highly preventable. It can also be cured in 99 percent of cases, if it is treated early.  Although people with lighter skin tones are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer, anyone can get it. Furthermore, people with darker skin tones are often diagnosed at a later stage, which increases their risk of dying from skin cancer.

Skin cancer can be classified as

• Non-melanoma – Basal Cell and Squamous Cell which are the most common forms of skin cancer
• Melanoma – the most serious type of skin cancer that can quickly spread throughout the body if not treated early.

In most cases, skin cancer is caused by ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. UV light damages DNA, resulting in cell mutations. UV light also decreases the immune system’s ability to get rid of cancerous cells.

Tips for protecting your skin

• Wear sun protection. Apply sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher every day. Wear these products all year round, even when it’s cloudy or rainy.
• Wear sunglasses. Choose sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays when you’re outside during the day. Pick a wraparound pair, if possible.
• Wear a hat. Protect your face, neck, and ears by wearing a hat with a wide brim and dark fabric. The fabric should be tightly woven.
• Stay in the shade. Whenever possible, stay in shady areas to prevent excessive or intense sun exposure.
• Avoid direct sun exposure. UV rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If possible, stay inside during these times.
• Avoid tanning. Tanning in the sun or in tanning beds can increase your risk of skin cancer.

Since early detection is so important in all types of cancer, do regular skin checks or see a dermatologist on an annual basis for a skin check.  What to look for:

The ABCDE rule

When examining your skin, follow the ABCDE rule. This is a guideline for what to look for:

• Asymmetrical. Cancerous spots are often irregular in shape.
• Border. A spot may be cancerous if its border is irregular, jagged, pink, red, or darkened.
• Color. Cancerous spots may be uneven in color. But in some cases, such as nodular melanoma, they can be one color.
• Diameter. A mole or spot that’s bigger than a pea may indicate skin cancer.
• Evolving. If a spot or mole is cancerous, it will likely change in size, shape, or color over a few months or years.

If you notice any changes to your skin, particularly with regard to the types of changes mentioned above, it’s important to contact a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis.

Radiance Medical Aesthetics & Wellness

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