Tips to Protect Your Skin During Skin Cancer Awareness Month
There are two main types of skin cancer, melanoma and non-melanoma. Like all cancers, early detection is critical. The overall survival rates are much higher when the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage.
- Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer and the warning signs are often referred to by the popular “ABCDE” acronym. If a mole displays any of the characteristics shown below, it’s best to consult with a physician for evaluation and testing.
- Nonmelanoma is a very common cancer. Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and Merkel cell carcinoma are the most common types of skin cancer.
Sun safety and prevention of skin cancer involves a sun-safe lifestyle, routine dermatologic follow-up and self-skin checks. Protecting your skin from sunburn is key to skin cancer prevention. Stay out of the sun as much as possible during peak UV hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you’re going to be outside, Moffitt experts recommend SunWise UV index apps as a reminder to keep your skin in check.
In addition, the experts in the Cutaneous Oncology Program at Moffitt encourage everyone to perform thorough monthly self-examinations of their skin. To help ensure early detection, it is essential to become familiar with the location, look and feel of any moles, birthmarks, blemishes and other skin spots.
Most often, skin cancer develops in areas of the body that are regularly exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, such as the:
- Scalp
- Face
- Nose
- Tops of the ears
- Lips
- Neck
- Chest
- Arms
- Backs of the hands
- Legs
The Mole Patrol skin cancer screening program offers free skin cancer screenings and cancer education to the public. Visit Moffitt.org/MolePatrol for more information and to find upcoming events.