Skin Cancer Awareness

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.

The main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Of these, melanoma is the most dangerous type, killing approximately 8,000 Americans each year. However, when caught and treated early the five-year survival rate for melanoma is 99 percent.

Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. To lower your risk of skin cancer, it is important to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays by staying in the shade when possible, using protective clothing, and applying and re-applying sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.

While anyone can develop skin cancer, some people are at greater risk.
Risk factors include:

• Skin type: People with fair skin, eyes or hair are at greater risk

• Sun exposure: People with a history of blistering sunburns or frequent sun exposure are at greater risk

• Moles: having numerous or unusual moles can increase your risk

• Family history: people with a family history of skin cancer are at greater risk

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone perform skin self-exams to check for signs of cancer. Regular skin exams with a dermatologist are recommended for those who are at a higher risk for skin cancer.