How Much Do You Really Know About Skin Cancer?
“Don’t forget to wear sunscreen!” Most of us, ever since we were kids, were warned against the dangers of not using sunscreen. For me, the main motivation behind using sunscreen was to avoid the pain and suffering caused by sunburn. Too many times had I turned into a lobster as a result of not heeding my parents’ warnings. Skin cancer was not at the front of my mind, but did you know that having five or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma? Just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chances of developing melanoma later in life!
May is skin cancer awareness month, so let’s gain some awareness! Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. There are three major types of skin cancer, and the most dangerous form is melanoma. The rates of melanoma cases have been rising for the past several decades. The American Cancer Society predicts that there will be about 106,110 new diagnoses this year, and about 7,180 people are predicted to die of melanoma.
The cause of most cases of skin cancer is unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Despite this fact, only a little over 50% of Americans use sun protection! It only takes 15 minutes for unprotected skin to be damaged by the sun’s UV rays.
It’s recommended that people without a history of skin cancer get annual checks by a physician. People with a history of skin cancer should perform self-body exams every month, and should be evaluated twice a year by their dermatologist.
What are the signs and symptoms of skin cancer? Just remember “ABCDE.”
- A: Asymmetry
- B: Irregular Borders
- C: Color variation
- D: Diameter greater than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser)
- E: Evolution — or any change in the mole, including itching or bleeding
When in doubt, get it checked out!
There are many simple measures you can take to prevent skin cancer. The most obvious is to wear sunscreen! Every day, be sure to wear a broad spectrum sunscreen (protects against both UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF of at least 15. Regular daily use of a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 decreases a person’s risk of developing skin cancer by 50%. When you anticipate being in the sun for extended periods of time, use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Other measures you can take include wearing long sleeves or pants, lessening the amount of skin exposed to the sun, and avoiding the sun between 10 am and 4 pm when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
Tanning booths should especially be avoided. UV radiation from tanning machines is a known cause of cancer. People who use UV tanning booths are 74% more likely to develop melanoma. The UVA rays emitted from the light sources in tanning booths are 2 to 3 times more powerful than those of the sun! One study found that out of 63 women that had developed skin cancer by the age of 30, 61 of them had used tanning beds. People who first use a tanning bed before the age of 35 increase their risk of developing skin cancer by 75%.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, and there are many simple things we can do to protect ourselves against it. I know that golden summer tan is extremely tempting, but is it really worth the risk?
At Beautiful Body and Beyond, we take skin care seriously! Not only do our products help reduce your chances of developing skin cancer, our treatments can also help reverse and prevent signs of aging. Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Heidi and find out more about how we can help you achieve your skin goals!
Source: The Skin Cancer Foundation
Follow us on Instagram! @beautifulbodyandbeyond
For more information, visit our website: www.beautifulbodyandbeyond.com
