WHAT’S THE SCOOP ON SKIN CANCER?
- Posted on: Nov 30 2016
Summer means sun…time outside…fun activities with family and friends!
But no matter how enjoyable it is to be outdoors, your skin is under constant bombardment from the ultraviolet rays of the sun…rays that age your skin, cause wrinkles, age spots and sometimes melanoma – skin cancer.
Summer will soon give way to the cooler days of fall and winter but that doesn’t mean you won’t be taking long walks to see the changing leaves…and those ski vacations are not so far away!
Facts about skin cancer and its prevention:
- The most common form of cancer is skin cancer. Over one million people in the U.S. each year are diagnosed with skin cancer. Sadly, many more go undiagnosed.
- Skin cancer is serious but most skin cancers, if found early, are treatable.
- Common risk factors include regular sun exposure, pale skin, family history and being over the age of forty.
- People with many moleshave a higher risk of melanoma. Have your moles checked yearly to see if they change size, shape or color.
- Sunscreen does not prevent skin cancer. Sunscreen helps block the rays than lead to skin cancer. But sun damage is cumulative.To be effective, sunscreen must be worn – not just packed in your beach bag!
- Some sunscreen labels say they block UVB rays; others say they are broad based. Choose a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays because both are damaging to your skin. UVA rays penetrate the epidermis affecting the dermis beneath which causes your skin to age and can lead to skin cancer. UVB rays burn the epidermis and also lead to skin cancer lesions.
Remember: It is critical as you age, to have your skin checked – all of it – at least once a year for any changes or abnormalities and to have any pre-cancerous lesions treated. Any new, changed or otherwise suspicious growths should be examined.
At Callender Dermatology and Cosmetic Center we care about you and we care about your skin.
Call us today for a consultation!
Posted in: Skin Cancer
