Summer health tips: Know the ABCs of skin cancer

Periodic self-examination of your skin is just as important as frequent breast, prostate, and testicular exams. Early detection and treatment is essential to overcoming skin cancer (melanoma). It is the most common of all forms of cancer as more than one million cases are diagnosed annually in the United States.

It is important to know your risk for developing skin cancer such as individuals with fair skin, a family history, or frequent visits to tanning salons are at a higher risk for developing melanoma. Become familiar with your skin and the various types of freckles, moles, and marks. It's imperative that you look over your body consistently and consult a licensed health care professional if you notice anything unusual.

What are the ABCDEs of Melanoma?

A - Asymmetry: One half of the mark on your skin is unlike the other.

B - Border: The border is irregular or poorly defined.

C - Color: The color varies from one area to another in shades of tan, brown, black and sometimes blue, red, or white.

D - Diameter: Melanomas are usually the size of a pencil eraser, however, when diagnosed they can be smaller. Pay attention to the distance from one side to the other especially diameters greater than 6 millimeters.

E - Evolving: If a mark on your skin changes and looks different from other moles, freckles, and beauty marks then keep an eye on it. Look for changes and variations in shape, size, and color.

What are some signs of melanoma?

• Change in sensation of the skin that could include pain, itchiness, or soreness.
• Bleeding, oozing, and scaliness from a beauty mark, mole, or freckle.
• Differences in the the way that the surface of the mole feels and looks.

Above is an example of a basal cell carcinoma found on someone's back. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer.

What can you do to protect your skin?

• Apply an ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) sunscreen with at least a 15 Sun Protection Factor (SPF). It's important to re-apply every couple hours and more frequently if sweating or after water exposure. Check out your local Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe's, or on-line supplement center for natural sun protection from ultraviolet light.
• Stay out of the sun from 10:00 am to 4:00pm when the sun is strongest.
• Wear hats, long sleeves, sunglasses, and long pants to protect your skin.
• Make it a habit to examine your skin on a monthly basis and take note of any changes or growths and see a licensed health care professional like a dermatologist.

For further information about skin cancer visit:

Melanoma.com; NEEDS.com; Natural Sun Protection

Photos: Wikimedia Commons