Focus On Your Skin
Men under 49 are at a higher risk of melanoma than any other cancer
U.S. males are also 55 percent more likely to die after developing melanoma than women of the same age.
These sobering numbers from the Skin Cancer Foundation also note that the highest risk age group of 15 to 39 year olds, likely because they spent so much time outside. Education is often a key element in these bad outcomes, too.
Most skin cancers, including melanoma, have a very high cure rate when caught and treated early. We can also do more to protect ourselves before we go out in the sun.
Why are men more susceptible, and what can be done about it? Let’s go inside the numbers:
WHY THE NUMBERS ARE UP
Men’s skin actually contains more elastin and collagen than women, which makes ultraviolet rays more dangerous, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Men also tend to be less educated about the danger, in particular as it relates to sun exposure.
As a result, men age 50 or older have become much more likely over the years to develop melanoma than their female counterparts.
GENETICS PLAY A ROLE
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, and family history is one of the principal predictors for development according to the National Cancer Institute. Research any history of cancer in your extended family, and share this information with your physician or dermatologist.
These professionals will then develop a strategy of examination and treatment to increase the chances of early detection and wellness. Those with a family history of skin cancers also have as much as a 20 percent chance of relapse within the first year after diagnosis.
PREVENTION TIPS Men should protect them
selves when outside, in particular when they are going to in the sun for long periods of time at work, playing sports or at the beach. In some cases, it’s practically impossible to entirely avoid the sun. So make sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin, and make sure it has an SPF of 15 or higher. Swimmers should look for protection that is water resistant, and be vigilant about reapplying.
Create still more protection by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV-blocking lenses. Then schedule regular well visits for skin examinations, since successful treatments for this disease so often hinge on early discovery.