Skin Cancer Awareness
Michigan Department of Community Health pdf
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Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. and affects people of all colors. Those who are fair and have a tendency to burn, have a family history or a history of sun exposure are most vulnerable. Sun protection is important in decreasing a person's risk and includes staying out of the sun between 10 am and 4 pm, applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen year-round to all exposed skin, and wearing protective clothing.
Although the fair-skinned are more vulnerable, don't assume that dark skin provides invincibility. The American Cancer Society warns that when African Americans develop melanoma, it's deadlier. Could one reason be the tendency to doubt reality, and thus seek treatment too late?
Skin cancer warnings are prevalent during the sunny days of summer. However, awareness of this dangerous ailment should not begin and end with one season alone. SkinCancer.org says: "If you're among the 10 million skiers and snowboarders hitting the slopes in winter, pack your sunscreen. It's easy to think that a cold environment frees you from the risk of sunburn, but solar ultraviolet (UV) rays actually can be more damaging on the slopes than on the beach." www.skincancer.org
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Learn the
ABCDE warning signs of skin cancer:
Asymmetry
If you draw a line through this mole, the two halves will not match.
Border
The borders of an early melanoma tend to be uneven. The edges may be scalloped or notched.
Color
Having a variety of colors is another warning signal. A number of different shades of brown, tan or black could appear. A melanoma may also become red, blue or some other color.
Diameter
Melanomas usually are larger in diameter than the size of the eraser on your pencil (1/4 inch or 6 mm), but they may sometimes be smaller when first detected.
Evolving
Any change in size, shape, color, elevation, or another trait, or any new symptom such as bleeding, itching or crusting points to danger.
www.skincancer.org/self_exam/look_for.php
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Sunscreen information:
Look at the sunscreen's ingredients.
Use a good broad-spectrum sunscreen (protects against UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF of at least 15, and which contains avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide.
At least half an hour before going out in the sun,
apply sunscreen liberally
enough to all sun-exposed areas so that it forms a film when initially applied.
Reapply sunscreen
about 20-30 minutes (at the least 1-2 hours) after going out in the sun and after swimming, perspiring excessively, or toweling.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreen every day if you are going to be in the sun for more than 20 minutes. They also say that "In spite of claims that tanning booths offer "safe" tanning, artificial radiation carries all the risks of natural sunlight .
Tanning booths emit UVA radiation, which poses both short and long-term risks to the skin, including cataracts (eye damage), sunburns, skin cancer and premature aging. In addition, there can be damage to the body's immune system and reactions to certain fragrances, lotions, moisturizers and medications."
www.aad.org/
dermatology.about.com
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