The best way to reduce your chances of something bad happening is to be careful and take precautions.
Every year, about 3.3 million Americans find out they have skin cancer. But here’s some good news: you can do simple things to lower your chances of getting it. And if a common type of skin cancer called melanoma is found and treated early, 99 out of 100 people survive for at least five years. If it spreads to the lymph nodes, the chances of surviving for five years drop to 68 out of 100. That’s why it’s really important to know the early signs of skin cancer.
Not sure what the early signs are? Keep reading to find out and to get tips on how to lower your risk.
The Best Ways To Protect Yourself From Skin Cancer
A skin doctor who is also a professor and works with medical technology at Cortina, says the biggest reason for skin cancer is the sun’s rays. So, the best way to lower your risk is to avoid spending too much time in the sun without protection, and also avoid tanning beds.
—using UV tanning beds increases the risk of skin cancer too).
Dr. Jacobs suggests using sunscreen with SPF 50+ whenever you’re out in the sun, and wearing clothes that protect you from the sun too. He also mentions that the sun’s rays are most powerful between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., so if you’re outside during those hours, be extra careful with sun protection. He points out that the sun can be even stronger at the beach, on a boat with sunlight reflecting off the water and sails, and at high altitudes.
Dr. Daniel Glass, MD, a skin disease specialist and consultant dermatologist at Dermatology Clinic London, says that having a family history of skin cancer or having fair skin increases the risk of skin cancer. So if either applies to you, it’s even more important to be diligent about protecting your skin from UV rays.
The Most Commonly Missed Early Skin Cancer Sign, According to Dermatologists
Finding skin cancer early is really important, just like with other types of cancer. That’s why it’s crucial to know the early signs. Dr. Jacobs says that many people often overlook a new dark spot that looks like a mole or freckle. This is actually the most commonly missed early sign of skin cancer.
Dr. Jacobs says that people are often advised to watch out for any changes in moles they already have, like if they change color, shape, or size. But they might not pay as much attention to new dark spots that appear. This can cause them to be missed.
So, if you notice a new freckle or mole on your body that wasn’t there before, it’s really important to make an appointment with a dermatologist. They can take a closer look and make sure everything is okay.
If you see any changes in moles or spots on your skin, it’s important to have them checked out. Dr. Glass says that skin cancer can often show up as a mole or spot that is changing in some way, like getting bigger or changing color. It might also become sore, itchy, or even bleed.
Dr. Glass points out that some people think a concerning spot has to be raised or very dark in color, but that’s not true. Skin cancers can be flat and even red in color, not just dark brown or black. So, it’s important to pay attention to any changes, no matter how the spot looks.
With all of this in mind, any changes in spots on your body should be checked out by a dermatologist. That includes spots that are new, have changed color, changed shape or changed texture.
Dermatologists are trained in finding early signs of skin cancer, which is why it’s important to see a dermatologist once a year (and even more frequently if you are at high risk for skin cancer). There could be a lesion on part of your body you can’t see but a dermatologist will be able to.
By protecting your skin from the sun, getting any changes on your skin checked out, and seeing a dermatologist once a year, you will be taking three majorly important steps to minimize your risk for skin cancer—dermatologist-approved!
Sources
- Dr. Michael I. Jacobs, MD, board-certified dermatologist, associate professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, and the medical technology director at Cortina
- Dr. Daniel Glass, MD, skin disease specialist and consultant dermatologist at Dermatology Clinic London
SOURCE:PARADE