Skin Cancer Prevention

Arizona Skin Cancer Foundation•Skin Cancer Prevention

Every year, more than 3 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer. And when you consider that one of the primary causes of skin cancer is something we are all exposed to on a daily basis – the sun – that statistic becomes less surprising..

However, there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself and reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. A proactive approach to skin cancer prevention can save lives, and it’s never too late to start making positive changes now.

How is skin cancer prevented?
Before you can reduce your skin cancer risks, you need to understand what causes it.
 
Most skin cancers are directly caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, found in the sun’s UV rays as well as tanning beds and sun lamps. But avoiding UV radiation can often be a challenge because it has the ability to reach you when you least expect it. Even on a cloudy day, during the middle of a snowy winter, or while you’re driving to work each morning, UV rays are coming in contact with your skin.
 
Sun damage isn’t necessarily something that occurs through a single significant event (though severe sunburns are a major contributor to increased skin cancer risks). Instead, sun damage tends to steadily accumulate over many years, so slowly that you don’t even realize it’s happening. Simple activities like walking your dog, going from your car into the store, and enjoying backyard barbecues all add up.
 
That’s why the best way to prevent skin cancer is to take a comprehensive approach to protecting your skin. When you eliminate as many of the small, everyday sources of sun damage as possible, you can make a big difference.
What are seven things you can do to reduce the risk of skin cancer?
If you want to start with a few simple steps to reduce your skin cancer risk, here are the seven things the Arizona Skin Cancer Foundation recommends you try first:
skin prevention
  1. Use a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen that is SPF 15 or higher every day. If you’ll be outdoors for an extended period of time, use a water-resistant, broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher.
  2. Avoid tanning your skin, and never use UV tanning beds.
  3. Take proper steps to prevent sunburns.
  4. Seek out shaded areas, particularly between 10 AM and 4 PM.
  5. Wear protective clothing and accessories when you’re outdoors, including UV-blocking sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat.
  6. Follow proper sunscreen application guidelines: you should be using 1 ounce (equal to 2 tablespoons) to cover your entire body, applied 30 minutes before you go outside. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, as well as immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
  7. Conduct monthly skin self-exams and see a dermatologist for an annual professional skin exam
Melanoma

Keep in mind that skin cancer prevention efforts should begin at birth. Keep newborns out of the sun as much as possible, and use an appropriate sunscreen for babies over the age of 6 months.

Use the “ABCDEs of skin cancer” to spot early warning signs Skin cancer is a highly treatable disease, especially when it is caught and treated early. This makes regular skin self-exams a key component of effective cancer prevention.

In addition to a professional, dermatologist-conducted skin exam at least once per year, you should be conducting skin exams at home on a monthly basis. Closely examine all areas of your skin, looking for atypical moles and possible melanomas.

If you notice any of the following “ABCDE” warning signs, schedule an appointment with your dermatologist as soon as possible:

A is for Asymmetry: Common (normal) moles tend to be fairly symmetrical, with either a round or oval shape. However, you may have an atypical mole if it has an irregular, asymmetrical shape.

B is for Border: If a mole’s borders are uneven, irregular, or even jagged/scalloped, it may be atypical. Common moles tend to have smooth, generally even borders.

C is for Color: If a single mole has multiple colors, that is a warning sign. Melanoma can be made up of various shades of brown, black, or tan, with blue, red, and white appearing as it grows larger. In contrast, a normal mole is usually just one shade of brown.

D is for Diameter: If you have a mole that is the same size (or larger) as a pencil eraser (about 6mm or ¼ inch across), you should get it checked. However, keep in mind that melanomas can be smaller than this, so don’t use this guideline to disqualify any suspicious spots.

Skin Cancer Prevention
Skin Cancer Prevention
Skin Cancer Prevention