Skin Cancer Information

Statistics from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) show that one in five will be diagnosed with skin cancer. Don’t be the one. SPOT Skin Cancer, a program of the AAD, aims to increase awareness and educate and motivate the general public on how to prevent and detect skin cancer. Its goal is to help the everyday person make simple, positive behavior changes in order to reduce occurrences of skin cancer.

​Prevention

The AAD offers these tips to prevent skin cancer.
Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, including melanoma 
(see sources 1 and 2 below). You can have fun in the sun and decrease your risk of skin cancer. Here's how you can prevent skin cancer:
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• Seek shade when appropriate. Remember that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If your shadow appears to be shorter than you are, seek shade.
• Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, where possible.
• Generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or more to all exposed skin. “Broad-spectrum” provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Reapply approximately every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
• Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand because they reflect and intensify the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chances of sunburn.
• Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look tan, consider using a self-tanning product or spray, but continue to use sunscreen with it.

1 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2011.
2 Robinson, JK. Sun Exposure, Sun Protection and Vitamin D. JAMA 2005; 294: 1541-43.
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​Learn more by clicking here

Detection

Skin cancer detection begins with you. Look for new or changing spots on your skin regularly and consult your dermatologist if you notice any areas of concern. Early detection of skin cancer is key. 
Click here for some great self-detection tools provided by the AAD.

Links of Interest

American Academy of Dermatology
Understanding Skin Cancer from the American Academy of Dermatology

Ever wonder if what you’ve stumbled into is poison ivy or just some other minor skin irritation? Download the free app from this website and you can see images of different skin conditions along with descriptions and potential remedies.
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Dermatology from A to Z
American College of Mohs Surgery
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
The National Psoriasis Foundation