Sun Safety and Spotting Skin Cancer

SUN SAFETY

and SPOTTING SKIN CANCER

If the sun is out, your guard should be up. Most people know that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can put you at greater risk for skin cancer, the most common type of cancer. Knowing the risk of sun exposure and how to prevent its damaging effects will help you reduce your skin cancer risk.

By Morgan Radlinger, BS, CWP, lifestyle coach DPP, wellness coordinator at Network Health

Spotting skin cancer

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 9,500 Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. Fortunately, if diagnosed and treated early, skin cancer is the easiest cancer to cure, so conducting regular self-examinations is important.

What are the different types of skin cancer?

The three main types of skin cancer are listed below. • Basal cell carcinoma • Squamous cell carcinoma • Melanoma

Each type has different qualities, so it’s important to watch out for any skin changes. It’s also important to remember that a cancerous spot doesn’t always come with pain, so don’t ignore something suspicious just because it doesn’t hurt.

SUN SAFETY TIPS

Follow these essential sun safety tips to limit your UV exposure and protect you from skin cancer.

Seek shade.

Staying in the shade is your best defense against UV exposure. You should be cautious in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m when UV rays are the strongest.

Lather it on.

Pay careful attention to sunscreen labels and choose one with broad-spectrum protection (protection against UVA and UVB rays) and a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.

How often should I look for skin cancer?

In addition to a yearly exam from your doctor, you should check yourself once a month. If you’re new to spotting skin cancer warning signs, you might want to have your doctor do a full-body exam first. After that, a monthly self-exam should take no more than 10 minutes. Cover it up.

Cover your skin as much as possible when out in the sun. Clothing made of tight-woven fabric is your best choice. Special UV-filtering clothing is also available.

What are the warning signs?

If you notice any of these warning signs, make sure to see your doctor right away. • A skin growth that increases in size and appears pearly, translucent, tan, brown, black or multicolored • A mole, birthmark or any brown spot that • Changes color or texture • Increases in thickness or has an irregular outline • Is bigger than a quarter of an inch • Appears after age 21 • Itches, hurts, scabs or bleeds • Looks like an open sore and doesn’t heal within three weeks Put a lid on it.

A wide-brimmed hat does a great job of shading your face, ears and neck from the sun.

Plan for it daily. While there are peak times and seasons when the sun is at its strongest, sun exposure adds up over time. Protect yourself from the sun in winter months, on cloudy days and even when you are only in the sun for a brief period.