Skin cancers are the fastest growing type of cancer in the United States. Skin cancer represents the most commonly diagnosed malignancy, surpassing lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer. More than 1 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. Gulf Coast residents should be especially aware of the warning signs for skin cancer and perform regular self-checks for anything suspicious. As with many other types of cancers, preventive measure and early detection are important.
The process of skin cancer development begins with damage to the skin cell DNA, which causes the cells to grow out of control and develop a cancerous mass. Most of the DNA damage is caused by exposure to UV light produced by the sun or tanning bulbs. Heredity, exposure to toxic chemicals, and radiation treatments can cause malignant melanomas in areas of skin that are rarely or never exposed to sun.
Major risk factors include having a fair complexion, history of sunburns, excessive sun exposure, living in a sunny or high-altitude climate, moles, and advancing age. You should glance over your skin periodically and check the ABCDE’s of existing moles: Asymmetry – you should be able to draw a line through the center of a mole and have both sides look the same; Border – moles should not have blurry or jagged edges; Color – moles should not be more than one color or change color over time; Diameter – moles that are larger than a pencil eraser should be examined by a dermatologist; Evolution – Changes in appearance, such as size, shape or color.
Wondering what you should be doing NOW to reduce your risk?
- Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. if possible;
- Wear sunscreen of at least 30 SPF;
- Re-apply sunscreen every two hours or each time you towel off (year-round);
- Wear protective clothing such as a wide-brimmed hat while in the sun;
- Avoid tanning beds; be aware of sun-sensitizing medicines; and
- Examine your skin regularly.
You don’t have to avoid the sun completely, but you do need to play it safe while you enjoy the rays!