Take steps to protect yourself from skin cancer
Summer means more time spent outside and increased potential exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in America. According to skincancer.org, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the United States than all other cancers combined. Learning the risks associated with sun exposure is an important first step in protecting yourself and reducing your risk of developing skin cancer. A little prevention can go a long way.
Now is a great time to learn more about the important role that sun protection and early detection have in preventing and treating skin cancer.
Practicing healthy sun habits
Protecting yourself from the sun’s harmful UV rays is the first step in skin cancer
prevention. Following these habits consistently throughout your life will have a positive impact on your skin as an adult.
Photoaging is the result of cumulative sun exposure a person receives throughout their life and is responsible for 90% of visible changes to the skin. The likelihood of developing skin cancer is strongly associated with exposure to UV radiation. Genetic factors, such as being fairskinned or having a family history of skin cancer, also contribute to a person’s lifetime risk for developing skin cancer, but there isn’t much you can do about that. However, UV exposure is controllable and preventable and you can be proactive here. Regularly apply sunscreen with SPF of 30 or more and wear a hat to protect your scalp and ears from the sun’s harmful rays. A person’s risk for melanoma doubles if they have had more than five sunburns, so don’t skimp on the sunscreen, and don’t forget to protect your scalp and ears!
Check yourself at home
Another step in being proactive with skin cancer prevention is to perform monthly self-checks at home. Using a full-length mirror in a well-lit room, inspect each mole, freckle and blemish. Look over your entire body, and use a handheld mirror for areas difficult to see such as your back.
When performing your self-check, the ABCDE’s of melanoma are a good guide to follow:
A: ASYMMETRY>> one half of the area does not match the other half
B: BORDER >> the edges are uneven
C: COLOR VARIATION>> the color is not the same all over and may have more than one shade or color present
D: DIAMETER>> the size is larger than 6 millimeters, or the size of a pencil eraser
E: EVOLVING>> the mole is changing in size, shape or color
In addition to monthly self-checks, you should also make it a priority to see your dermatologist annually for a full body screening. If you find something suspicious during one of your monthly self-checks, don’t wait until your annual exam to see a dermatologist.
Schedule your annual skin cancer screening today
While it’s important to check yourself at home often, getting an annual skin cancer screening by a professional can be instrumental in identifying any suspicious lesions and treating them early. Scheduling your yearly full body skin exam with a dermatologist is the most important step in detecting skin cancer. Melanoma can be found anywhere on the body, and are sometimes overlooked on self-exams, especially on the back or scalp. Catching skin cancer in the early stages, when it’s easiest to treat, can make all the difference in the treatment plan your dermatologist will recommend.
Pennsylvania Dermatology Partners has 22 locations located throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware to serve the needs of the community. To schedule your annual skin cancer screening, contact 888895-3376.
Dr. Daniel Shurman of Pennsylvania Dermatology Partners in Amity Township completed his dermatology training at Thomas Jefferson University. He is fellowship-trained in both Mohs micrographic surgery and procedural dermatology, and his research interests include medical genetics, antibiotics in dermatologic surgery and wound healing.