Preventing Skin Cancer — Latest Research Reveals More Reasons to Monitor Your Sun Exposure
The National Cancer Institute recommends an “ABCD” approach to help you remember the warning signs of skin cancer. When you examine your skin for moles, freckles and other spots, watch out for the following:
- Asymmetry
The shape of one half does not match the other - Border
The edges are uneven-looking - Color
The color is uneven or has changed - Diameter
The size of the mole has changed or has grown larger than 5mm
Consult your doctor if you have any of these signs.
May 2005 — Those beautiful summer days may hold a sinister threat. Too much sun can damage your skin, leading to melanoma - the deadliest form of skin cancer.
Accounting for only 4 percent of all skin cancers — but an astounding 79 percent of all skin cancer deaths - melanoma is a major cause for concern right here in Florida, the Sunshine State. And while we've all been told to slather on sunblock, put on a hat and seek shade whenever possible, some of us aren't so careful, preferring instead to bask in the sun.
Research indicates more and more reasons to be diligent about applying sunscreen — even if you have dark hair or dark skin. A study in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention notes that skin cancer rates for African Americans increase with sun exposure.
Studies also have found that people who carry a variant of the recessive gene responsible for producing red hair and fair skin may be at elevated risk for skin cancer, even if they don't have these features.
"Most people get the majority of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of 18, and that's the time in life when people are least likely to use sunscreen," says Stuart Sobel, MD, dermatologist on the medical staff at Memorial Regional Hospital, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital and Memorial Hospital West. "However, it's never too late to protect yourself."
A Sunshine State of Mind
When it comes to sunblock, the key is to wear it every day — and to be conscientious about reapplying it after swimming or perspiring.
According to Dr. Sobel, one of the most common mistakes people make is not planning their sunscreen usage. "If you know you're going to be outside for an hour during lunch, bring sunscreen with you so you won't have to worry."
If you think that your daily commute isn't a significant contributor of your lifetime sun exposure, think again. In the United States, where drivers are seated on the left side of automobiles, the left arm is more susceptible to skin cancer, whereas in England, where drivers are seated on the right side, the right arm is more vulnerable.
Regarding artificial light in your home or office, the good news is that it plays a negligible role in skin cancer. "You get very little ultraviolet (UV) exposure from incandescent light, and just a little more from fluorescent, but it's still a very low level," says Dr. Sobel.
Self-Awareness Is Key
Besides limiting sun exposure, the other way you can help protect yourself is to regularly examine your skin.
"Get to know your own body. Two or three times a year, give yourself a once-over. If something looks funny, trust your instincts and consult a physician," says Dr. Sobel.
To prove his point, Dr. Sobel recounts the story of his first melanoma patient, a 17-year-old who came to him for a second opinion after the first doctor dismissed the mole on her arm as nothing to worry about.
"When she shared the mole had changed in appearance, I told her, 'If you say it looked different before, I believe you.'"
The mole was identified as cancerous and removed at an early stage. "The patient now lives in Canada, is 43 years old and has four kids," Sobel says. "And all she has to show for her experience with cancer is a small scar on her arm."
If you're concerned about your risk for skin cancer and would like a referral to a physician, call Memorial Physician Referral Service toll-free at (800) 944-DOCS. We're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.