Many Holly Spring people have a misconception that skin cancer is not serious and is therefore less invasive in spite of the existing and new statistics showing otherwise. The purpose of this article is to help bring awareness of many cancers, including prevention and screening.

The American Cancer Society’s estimates for melanoma in the United States for 2017 are staggering — about 87,110 new melanomas will be diagnosed (52,170 in men and 34,940 in women) and the number of deaths is continuing to increase year after year.

If caught in time, about 97% of skin cancer is curable, so we need to be doing our part to combat the growing incidence in the U.S. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, which is designed to encourage people to be more proactive about skin cancer prevention and detection.

While melanoma can occur in anyone, people with fairer skin are more susceptible to skin cancer. This is because this skin type tends to burn more easily from the sun. Fairer skin is also more difficult to tan.

Skin cancer prevention

Studies show that 90% of all skin cancer rates can be attributed to binge tanning and excessive sun exposure. So while summer may be ending, sunscreens are MUST regardless of the season. During your childhood you have already had three quarters of your life span exposed to UV. With up to 90% of UV rays passing through light clouds, sunscreen/sunblock is important, and not just on a sunny day, but every day.

Self tanning cosmetics are now more popular than ever. However, if you were a previous sunbed user, you are still 74% more likely to develop melanoma than a person who has never used a sunbed.

In a previous article Best Products For Sensitive Skin, we talked about the importance of choosing the best sunscreen protection for your specific skin type. This advice still holds true; to apply a SPF 30+ broad spectrum sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection, frequently and liberally and at least 20 minutes prior to heading out into the sun.

You may also want to confirm with your doctor that none of your medications will make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

While you at Thrive Skin + Wellness for a back to school physical exam, schedule a full body skin exam for yourself. Or at the very least, ensure that you’re checking for skin irregularities such as moles or unusual changes on your skin.

In conclusion

We need to be more respectful of the sun and the dangers of melanoma throughout the entire year. Before you head out into the sun, why not contact your complimentary consultationlocal Skin Center to have your moles checked out. It could save your life, but at the very least, give you the peace of mind to enjoy the upcoming holidays.

Disclaimer: Information and content within this blog is provided for informational purposes only. This blog is not intended to provide medical advice, and anything read here should not be construed as such. Reading this blog or communicating with our staff does not create a physician-patient relationship. If you have questions about any health issue, including something you may have read here, please consult a licensed, trained physician or health professional immediately.