Health & Wellness: Skin cancer awareness and prevention

About Us

Careers

Site Map Go

Health Care Services

Hospitals & Facilities

Health Information

Find a Doctor

Why Choose Baptist

Skin cancer awareness and prevention

Daily Bread

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!
Proverbs 16:16

Skin cancer is a largely preventable disease.

Oddly enough, it is also one of the most common cancers. In fact, one million people will be diagnosed with it this year.

Why? People aren’t using sunscreen and/or they continue to use tanning beds.

“For a lot of young people the future is now,” said Robert Kaplan, M.D., a Memphis dermatologist. “This weekend’s date is more important than something that might happen in their 30s.”

Tips for preventing skin cancer:

If you are going to be exposed to the sun, use sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or higher. Make sure the sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat.
Wear clothes that will cover your skin. Look for clothing made with fabric designed to block UV rays.
Don’t use tanning beds under any circumstance.

Many people have the false idea that visiting a tanning bed before they go on summer vacation will actually protect their skin from getting burned. All UV exposure is cumulative and can be harmful long-term.

“That’s like saying I’m going to smoke a carton of cigarettes to prevent getting lung cancer,” Dr. Kaplan said. “I definitely would not use a tanning bed. They need to be outlawed.”

If detected early, two forms of skin cancer – basal cell and squamous cell – are very treatable. Symptoms include a changing lesion or mole such as enlargement, bleeding, color irregularity and/or failure to heal.

If you see a suspicious mole or skin lesion, go see your physician immediately. It is also a good idea to have your physician do a mole check when you have your regular physical exam.

The most serious form of skin cancer is melanoma. It often spreads to other parts of the body and can be fatal. That is why it is so important to take steps to prevent skin cancer. It is the second most common cancer in women 20-29, according to the National Cancer Institute.

People with fair skin are most at risk for skin cancer, Dr. Kaplan said.

In addition to skin cancer, overuse of tanning beds and overexposure to the sun can cause irreversible damage to skin such as premature aging, wrinkles and baggy skin.

So if you tan because you think it is attractive, remember that down the road your skin will likely age prematurely and you will be at a higher risk for cancer.

It’s very simple to reverse this process – wear sunscreen, stay away from tanning beds, and check your skin regularly for irregular moles or lesions. Visit your physician regularly.

Published: April 24, 2008
Source: Robert Kaplan, M.D., dermatology
Writer: Elizabeth Todd Bartholomew, MA, APR

Top of Page