Be aware of skin cancer
Sometimes your skin is the last thing you think about when it comes to your health. Perhaps it should be one of the first!
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. It is estimated that more than 3 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed each year, which is more than all other cancers combined.
Here are some more facts about skin cancer from www.skincancer.org:
1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.
More than 2 people die of skin cancer in the U.S. every hour.
Having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma.
When detected early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99 percent.
Skin cancer is not a single disease but rather a group of diseases that have in common a high risk of recurrence and metastasis. The two main types are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Both BCC and SCC can occur anywhere on the body, but are more common in sun-exposed areas such as the face, neck, hands, arms and legs. These are both considered to be less dangerous types of skin cancer than melanoma.
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer because it is more likely to spread to other parts of the body if not treated right away. It can also cause death if it spreads to other organs or becomes widespread. It accounts for about 10% of all skin cancers in the U.S., but it causes 75% (4 out of 5) deaths due to skin cancer.
Skin cancer can be caused by exposure to UV rays from the sun or from tanning beds. It can also be caused by exposure to other sources of UV rays, such as from welding or x-rays.
The best way to prevent skin cancer is through regular use of sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher, clothing that covers your arms and legs, and avoiding peak hours when the sun’s rays are strongest (10 a.m.-2 p.m.).
It’s important to know the signs of skin cancer so that you can get treatment before it spreads and becomes more serious. The most common signs include:
A bump or sore that won’t heal
A mole or wart that changes color, size or shape
A sore that becomes crusty, scaly or bleeds
Skin on your face, hands and neck that changes color
A growth that starts out small and keeps growing
Do not rely on appearance alone to assess your skin. Be aware of the warning signs of skin cancer and get regular checkups to ensure that you are not developing any symptoms. If you do have these symptoms (or a family history), see your doctor right away—early diagnosis can save your life!
As always it is important to take care of your body by eating right and staying active, and if your activity is outdoor, cover up!