Each year, more than 5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed - with one out of five Americans developing skin cancer by age 70. Although skin cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in the United States, it is also one of the most preventable cancers -and, when caught early, is highly treatable.
Skin cancer occurs when there is an irregular growth of skin cells, and typically presents itself
in three different forms: basal cell carcinoma (the most common and mildest form of skin cancer), squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, occurs when damaged skin cells begin to mutate and often occurs as a result of intense UV light exposure, either from the sun or UV tanning beds. When it comes to melanoma (which usually appears as a black or brown mole, but can look skin-colored, blue, purple or red) early diagnosis and treatment is crucial -- when detected early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99%.
The two main causes of skin cancer are the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and using tanning beds. There is no such thing as a "healthy tan" and, even if you don't have fair skin, tanning causes injury that leads to both premature aging and skin cancer. In fact, having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma -and tanning beds have even more dangerous consequences. Just one indoor tanning session before age 35 can lead to a 75% increased risk of developing melanoma - and worldwide, there are more skin cancer cases due to indoor tanning than there are lung cancer cases due to smoking.
In my practice -and in my everyday life -I'm constantly stressing the importance of sun safety (including staying clear of tanning beds) and the importance of early detection. An annual screening by a board-certified dermatologist is key to finding any issues before they could possibly become a problem -when found early, dermatologists can treat skin cancer with little to no scarring, and this treatment is usually completely curative.
In May, and all year long, keep your skin healthy -- and protected. Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ every day (as well as sunglasses and a hat) and try to avoid direct sun exposure between I0 a.m. - 4 p.m. when UV rays are strongest. Most importantly, remember the importance of regularly checking your skin -and the critical role that early detection plays when it comes to one of the most treatable cancers in the world.
source: Simply Buckhead