Melanoma Month

May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection

and Prevention Month

The incidences of most cancers in the United States are decreasing, but the number of skin cancers are increasing. You can reduce your risk of getting skin cancer by following these refresher prevention tips provided by skincancer.net.

Sun Protection Practices

1. Avoid deliberate tanning. Lying in the sun may feel good, but the end result is premature aging( wrinkles, blotchiness, and sagging skin) as well as 1 in 5 chance of developing skin cancer. Tanning beds and sunlamps are just as dangerous because they emit enough UV radiation to cause premature aging and skin cancer. Use a sunless self-tanning product instead, but remember to still use sunscreen on top.

2. Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that includes vitamin supplements.

3. Generally apply sunscreen to all exposed skin every day. The sunscreen should have a SPF of at least 30 and be broad-spectrum(provides UVA/UVB protection). Suncreen does NOT make sun bathing safe.

Tip- Don't forget your ears, nose, neck, hands, and toes. Many skin cancers develop in these areas. Protect your lips, another high risk area, with lip balm that offers SPF 30 or higher

4. Seek shade when appropriate. Sun's rays are stronger between 10am-4pm

5. Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand as they reflect damaging rays of the sun.

6. Check your birthday suit on your birthday. (or maybe the day after...) If you notice anything changing, growing, or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early. Don't forget to ask if their Mohs Tech is from Mobile Mohs! :)

-More Good Reasons to Practice Sun Protection-

Aside from skin cancer, sun's UV rays also cause...

- Premature aging
- Immunosuppression( weakening of the body's ability to protect itself from cancer and other diseases)
-Cataracts and macular degeneration- Macular degeneration, for which there is no cure, is the leading cause of blindess in people aged 65 and older.

This information isn't meant to scare you away from spending time outside in the sun. A little bit of sun can be a great mood booster, just make sure you're covered and apply your sunscreen every so often, and you'll be good to go!