DERMATOLOGY UPDATE
Skin cancer, Mohs Surgery, and tanning beds By Shawna Beechinor, PA-C
NOTE: According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and women age 49 and under are more likely to develop melanoma than any other cancer except breast and thyroid cancers. Shawna Beechinor, PA-C, a Board-Certified Physician Assistant, sat down with us to talk about skin cancer, skin surgery, indoor tanning, cosmetics, and her favorite ways to help prevent skin cancer, including her favorite sunscreens. (Sponsored content by Dermatology Clinic of Idaho.)
Q. What skin cancer tips do you share most often? A. A change in your skin is the most common sign of skin cancer. Be aware of new skin growths or a change in a mole and remember that while exposure to UV radiation is the No. 1 risk factor for developing skin cancer, it can also affect areas of the skin not exposed to sun. Finally, if you have a wound that won’t heal, have it examined by a doctor. This type of lesion Shawna Beechinor is generally considered skin cancer until Q. The people of Boise love outdoor proven otherwise. activities. What can we do to help lower our skin cancer risk? Q. Talk to us about tanning beds. A. One of the best ways to help lower your risk is to avoid A. Just one indoor tanning session can increase the user’s the factors that can cause skin cancer, the greatest of which risk of developing melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, is exposure to ultraviolet radiation. For example, try to avoid and basal cell carcinoma. As of 2014, the Food and Drug outdoor activities when the UV rays are their strongest, Administration (FDA) advised that indoor tanning beds and usually from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. If you must be outdoors, sun lamps emitting ultraviolet radiation must carry a visible use a combination of clothing, wide-brim hats, broadblack-box warning indicating no one should use them under spectrum sunscreen, and lip balm to protect your skin. For 18 due to increased risk of skin cancer. Many countries now the most complete coverage against the sun’s rays, longsleeve, and long-pant sun-protective clothing with Ultraviolet ban minors from the use of indoor tanning beds, and Brazil became the first country to declare a population-wide ban in Protection Factor (UPF) of 30 or higher can protect against 2002. UVA and UVB rays. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen and A tan may make you feel like you have a healthy glow, but lip balm with 30 SPF or higher. And don’t forget your eyes! your skin is damaged by UV rays every time you tan. A tan Sunglasses can block 99-100% of UV light, so look for labels is a visible sign of that injury. As the damage builds, you like “100% protection against both UVA and UVB” or accelerate your skin’s aging and your risk for all types of skin “100% protection against UV400.” cancer, including melanoma, which is the deadliest form of
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6 MAY/JUN 2021 | Idaho Family Magazine
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