The Dangers of Skin Cancer Skin cancer video

Melanoma Facts Melanoma rates are increasing faster than nearly all other cancers. Melanoma is a relatively easy disease to prevent. Most melanomas are easy to stop if caught soon enough-all it takes is a yearly skin exam. Melanoma kills one person every hour. The New England states have a higher than average rate of melanoma.

Parts of the skin Epidermis-outer layer of the skin. Dermis-inner layer of the skin Fat layer-deepest layer of the skin. Melanin-what gives skin color. Dermatologist-skin doctor Melanoma-skin cancer

Layers of the skin

The ABCDE’s of skin cancer A- Asymmetry: Normal moles or freckles are completely symmetrical. If you were to draw a line through a normal spot, you would have two symmetrical halves. In cases of skin cancer, spots will not look the same on both sides. B- Border: A mole or spot with blurry and/or jagged edges. C- Color: A mole that is more than one hue is suspicious and needs to be evaluated by a doctor. Normal spots are usually one color. This can include lightening or darkening of the mole. D- Diameter: If it is larger than a pencil eraser (about 1/4 inch or 6mm), it needs to be examined by a doctor. This is includes areas that do not have any other abnormalities (color, border, asymmetry). E- Elevation: Elevation means the mole is raised above the surface and has an uneven surface.

The ABCD’s of Skin Cancer A – Asymmetry B – Border C – Color D – Diameter

The UV Index, developed by the National Weather Service and EPA, indicates the strength of solar UV radiation on a scale from 1 (low) to 11+ (extremely high). You can use the UV Index to take appropriate sun- protective behaviors and avoid overexposure to UV radiation. click here for uv index

Importance of Sunscreen SPF=Sun Protection Factor UVA=causes premature aging, skin cancer, and other skin damage. UVB=causes sunburn rays All sunscreens comes with a number. The lighter the skin the higher the number which should be used to protect from UVA’s and UVB’s.

Sunscreen importance SPF values above 50 plus. Higher SPF products are not necessarily best. There’s a concern that high SPF products give people a false sense of security and encourage people to stay out in the sun for too long without reapplying sunscreen. Using sunscreen is only one part of smart skin protection. Limit your time outside between 10:00 and 4:00 pm. Wear a hat and protective clothing.

Dangers of tanning Melanoma Foundation of New England | Raising Awareness About Melanoma Throughout New England Melanoma Foundation of New England | Raising Awareness About Melanoma Throughout New England

Dangers of tanning Using tanning beds before the age of 35, increases one’s risk for melanoma by 75%. There is no such thing as a safe tan! For teens and adults skin cancer is the second most common cancer. Tanning increases the radiation of the sun by three to six times. Using a tanning bed for 20 minutes is equivalent to spending one to three hours a day at the beach with no sun protection at all!