Tests You Need Now
We now know that the more sun exposure you have‚ the higher your risk of skin cancer. And‚ as with many types of cancer‚ the chances of skin cancer increases with age. Basal cell carcinoma and
squamous cell carcinoma are the most common forms of skin cancer. These cancers appear as pale‚ wax-like‚ pearly bumps or red‚ scaly patches. The most serious type of skin cancer is melanoma‚ which usually starts as a small mole-like growth but gets bigger and/or changes color over time and may bleed easily. Skin cancer can’t be diagnosed
merely by sight. If an area of your skin appears suspicious‚ your doctor may take a small sample of skin tissue (biopsy) to examine under a microscope or send to a lab for diagnosis. The good news is that‚ if found early and treated promptly‚ skin cancer is almost 100 percent curable.
Skin Cancer Screening Tips
Check your skin annually. Although there is no standard recommendation for skin cancer screening intervals‚ most experts advise that you or a dermatologist check your entire body once a year. You may need more frequent skin checks if you have increased recreational or occupational exposure to the sun; a family or personal history of skin cancer or precancerous lesions; fair skin‚ freckles‚ or light-color hair; a suppressed immune system; or a condition known as xeroderma pigmentosum. Be familiar with your skin’s appearance. Knowing what’s normal
(and what’s not) for your skin will make it easier to detect any changes in its appearance. Inspect your palms‚ feet‚ and fingernails—about half of skin cancers in darker-skinned people are found in these areas. Know when to call the doctor. If you notice that a birthmark or mole changes in symmetry (one half starts to look different than the other); develops ragged or blurred borders; has different shades of browns and blacks; has patches of red‚ white‚ or blue or is not the same color all over; or grows larger than a pencil eraser‚ schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. Although you may think the damage has been done‚ it’s not too
late to start protecting your skin. To help prevent further damage and premature aging‚ avoid the sun between 10 am and 4 pm and tanning beds altogether. Wear protective clothing‚ hats‚ and sunglasses to shield you from the sun’s harmful rays. Experts recommend using a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher every day‚ year round—even when it is not sunny.
Did You Know?
• Skin cancer is the most common cancer reported in the US • More than 2 million people are diagnosed annually • Each year‚ there are more new cases of skin cancer than breast‚ prostate‚ lung‚ and colon cancers combined
• Anyone can develop skin cancer‚ regardless of race or skin tone • Four percent of all cancers in women are melanomas
WEAR A SUNSCREEN OF SPF 15 OR HIGHER
OF ALL CANCERS IN WOMEN ARE MELANOMAS.
4 percent people diagnosed annually 2 million More than SPRING / SUMMER 2012 pause 19
Skin Cancer Screening
You spent your youth poolside baking in the sun‚ believing that a nice‚ dark tan made you look healthy—sexy‚ even—only to discover later that it may have put your health in danger.
Thomas Northcut/Photodisc/Getty Images
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