Don't become a skin-cancer statistic this summer.
More people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the United States than all other cancers combined. In fact, more than five million cases are diagnosed every, many of which could be prevented by protecting the skin from excessive sun exposure.
How To Protect Yourself From Skin Cancer
- Use a generous amount of sunscreen on exposed skin, even on a cloudy day. Make sure the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is 15 or higher.
- Stay indoors during the middle of the day when sun is high in the sky and the ultraviolet rays are most intense.
- Wear a hat and sunglasses.
- Stay away from tanning beds and sun lamps.
The most serious type of skin cancer is melanoma, responsible for 75 percent of skin cancer deaths. Because melanoma is a fast-growing skin cancer, early detection is critical. Watch out for moles that have any of the following signs. Just remember ABCDE:
- Asymmetric: An irregular shape
- Border: A ragged or blurred edge
- Color: Several shades of color
- Diameter: Moles larger than the size of an eraser
- Evolution: Moles that look different than other moles and are changing in size, shape or color
Source: American Cancer Society, Skin Cancer Foundation, American College of Dermatology