May is skin cancer awareness month. As more Americans begin to head outdoors in the summer months, sunscreen and protecting our skin is more top of mind. However experts warn, skin cancer is not a seasonal threat and people should pay attention to their skin year round.
In a recent study, conducted by Advanced Dermatology, they surveyed over 2,000 Americans and their habits in the sun. Roughly 40% of Americans do not wear sunscreen, according to the study. In addition, 70% only wear it in the summer months.
According to the CDC, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in America, yet just 34% of Americans worry about getting it.
The firm also analyzed Google search trends and data to learn which states are most concerned about skin cancer. Compared to the rest of the country, Tennessee has a low skin cancer rate, however experts still urge all Americans to be prepared for the sun’s rays.
Here are Three Things You Should Know About Skin Cancer.
1. Know your ABCDE’s. Knowing the warning signs helps you stay alert for potential dangers on your skin. According to SkinCancer.org, you should know the ABCDE of melanoma:
“A is for Asymmetry. Most melanomas are asymmetrical. If you draw a line through the middle of the lesion, the two halves don’t match, so it looks different from a round to oval and symmetrical common mole.
B is for Border. Melanoma borders tend to be uneven and may have scalloped or notched edges, while common moles tend to have smoother, more even borders.
C is for Color. Multiple colors are a warning sign. While benign moles are usually a single shade of brown, a melanoma may have different shades of brown, tan or black. As it grows, the colors red, white or blue may also appear.
D is for Diameter or Dark. While it’s ideal to detect a melanoma when it is small, it’s a warning sign if a lesion is the size of a pencil eraser (about 6 mm, or ¼ inch in diameter) or larger. Some experts say it is also important to look for any lesion, no matter what size, that is darker than others. Rare, amelanotic melanomas are colorless.
E is for Evolving. Any change in size, shape, color or elevation of a spot on your skin, or any new symptom in it, such as bleeding, itching or crusting, may be a warning sign of melanoma.”
2. Choose the right sunscreen. Not all sunscreens are created equal. Choosing the right sunscreen protects your family from harmful rays. Select a ‘broad spectrum’ sunscreen with at least 30 spf. Remember to reapply every few hours. Learn more at cancer.org.
3. Know your medications and their side effects with the sun. Some common medications and supplements cause increased sun sensitivity, which means you may have more of a chance of sunburn. To know how your medications react with the sun, ask your doctor.