Skin Cancer Prevention & Awareness Month

By Meg Corasaniti, 
Health and Wellness Manager

Anyone with skin is at risk for skin cancer;
  no matter what color, tone or pigment your skin happens to be. 

• There are two types of skin cancer - Non Melanoma (Basil Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma) Skin Cancer and Melanoma Skin Cancer. 
  • Non Melanoma cancers are the most common. They develop in the cells that do not produce skin color. If not treated, they can cause disfigurement and in some cases, death. 
  • Melanoma cancers develop in the melanocytes- the cells that produce skin color. These tumors are seen as black or brown moles. These are more dangerous and account for 79% of all skin cancer deaths in the United States.

• Skin cancer specialists advocate checking your skin and especially moles regularly. 

  When examining your skin and moles keep these four things in mind:

  • Asymmetry - One half of the mole does not match the other.
  • Border - The edges of the mole are ragged or notched-no round edges.
  • Color - The color of the mole is not the same all over. There could be shades of tan, black, brown and maybe patches of red, blue or white.
  • Diameter - The mole is larger than ¼ inch (although some doctors have been seeing smaller sizes)

Keep in mind, that all melanomas do not fit this profile. If you do find a questionable mole, show it to your doctor.

• Skin Cancer is Preventable! 
  Here are some tips to help you in your quest to prevent Skin Cancer.
  • Avoid the sun between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM. The most harmful rays of the sun are at their strongest at this time.
  • Cover up. Whenever you are in the sun, chose clothing that will protect you skin from exposure-long sleeves, long pants, wide brim hats that shade you eyes, ears and nose. Some manufactures are now making clothes that are specifically geared towards skin protection. Oh, don’t forget sunglasses.
  • Use Sun Screen of at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) everyday. Reapply every couple of hours especially if you are sweating or swimming. Never use sunscreen on children under 6 months old. They should be kept out of the sun or protected with clothing.
  • Stay away from tanning booths or sunlamps. Remember there is NO healthy tan. Artificial sunrays damage your skin, not protect it.

Visit the following websites for more information:

• The American Cancer Society's Skin Cancer Awareness Site
• The Maryland Coalition for Skin Cancer