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The ABCDEs of skin cancer
Do you know how to spot the bad spots? It could be a beauty mark - or something worse. Here's what you should be looking for.
- Anyone can get skin cancer; it doesn't matter what color your skin is. But, typically, the fairer the skin, more likely you are to get it, especially if you spend a lot of time in the sun, use tanning beds or live in an area that gets intense sunlight. A person is at increased risk if they have fair skin and blond or red hair and blue, green or gray eyes, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The risk also increases if you've had bad sunburns, skin that burns or freckles instead of tanning, 50 or more moles, moles called "atypical nevi" or "dysplastic nevi," or had a close family member with the disease.read more
- To prevent skin cancer, follow these tips, as determined by the AAD: * Never use a tanning bed. Research shows tanning beds increase your risk of skin cancer by 75 percent. * Wear sunscreen (even on cloudy days!) and apply lip balm every day. Make sure your sunscreen has a SPF of at least 30 and protects against UVA and UVB rays. * Wear clothes that protect you from UV rays, such as a jean jacket. * Always wear sunglasses. These, too, must offer protection against UV rays. Melanoma can occur in the eyes, too. * Avoid spending time outdoors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun is the strongest. * Perform self-exams on your skin. Click through the slideshow to see what you are looking for. If you see something suspicious, make an appointment immediately to see a dermatologist. * Get screened regularly for skin cancer.read more
- Squamous cell carcinoma can metastasize if it starts on a mucous membrane such as the lips or eyes. Related: 56% of Melanomas Not Found by Patientsread moreAmerican Academy of DermatologyShare
- Who/What: American Academy of Dermatology's SPOT Skin Cancer™ Why: Current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer. ° More than 3.5 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year. ° Of these cases, it is estimated that about 131,810 are melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, which claims an estimated 9,180 lives annually. One American dies of melanoma almost every hour. º The five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 98 percent. Vision: A world without skin cancer. Mission: Increase public understanding about skin cancer and motivate positive behavior change to reduce the incidence of and mortality from skin cancer. Objective: Raise public awareness about skin cancer and save lives. What you can do: Wear orange on Melanoma Monday, the first Monday in May and help spread the word.read more
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The ABCDEs of skin cancer
Do you know how to spot the bad spots? It could be a beauty mark - or something worse. Here's what you should be looking for.
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- The ABCDEs of skin cancer
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