Skin cancer
Summer is in full swing, and along with summer fun comes a lot of time spent in the sun.
With skin cancer on the rise, sun protection is more important now than ever. Skin cancer has become the most common form of cancer in the United States with one in every five Americans developing skin cancer in the course of their lifetime. Melanoma, the most serious form, causes one person’s death every hour.
Early detection is extremely important, and greatly increases the likelihood of treatment and survival rate. In order to be able to recognize the early signs of skin cancer, it is essential to conduct head-to-toe skin scans each month.
Warning sings include:
· A skin growth that increases in size and appears pearly, translucent, tan, brown, black, or multicolored
· A mole, birthmark, beauty mark, or any brown spot that:
– Changes color
– Increases in size or thickness
– Changes in texture
– Is irregular in outline
– Is bigger than the size of a pencil eraser
– Appears after the age of 21
– A spot or sore that continues to itch or hurt, crust, scab, erode, or bleed
– An open sore that does not heal within three weeks
If you find any of these on your body, you should contact your doctor to get a professional skin exam. For additional instructions on how to conduct a head-to-toe skin scan, visit www.skincancer.org.
Along with monthly head-to-toe skin scans, be sure to follow these fun-in-the-sun precautions:
· Seek the shade, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
· Do not allow your skin to burn.
· Avoid sun bathing and tanning booths.
· Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
· Apply sunscreen before going outside and reapply every two hours.
For more information on skin cancer and ways to keep your skin safe, you can visit www.skincancer.org.
Mid-Michigan District Health Department serves the residents of Clinton, Gratiot and Montcalm Counties.