Keep Your Skin Sun-Safe

Are you headed to the pool soon? Did you finally get to put the top down on your convertible? May is National Skin Cancer Awareness month and before you pass on the sunscreen, Atrium Health Navicent wants you to have the facts about skin cancer and know the American Academy of Dermatology’s skin cancer self-check tips.

What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer is an out-of-control growth of cells in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. This abnormal growth is caused by mutations leading to skin cells multiplying rapidly and forming tumors.

What causes it?
Too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is the main cause of skin cancer. When you’re overexposed to sunlight, especially if you have a sunburn, sun poisoning or blistering, the UV rays damage the DNA in your skin, causing abnormal cells to form.

Warning signs of skin cancer
The American Academy of Dermatology has created the “ABCDEs” warning signs of Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. To perform a self-check, you must know what to look for before you can check yourself. You’ve “spotted” a problem if you come across one of these:

A - Asymmetry: A skin spot or mole where one half does not look like the other half
B - Border: A skin spot has a border that is unusual or not well-defined
C - Color: A skin spot that is not one solid color
D - Diameter: A skin spot that is larger than a pencil eraser
E - Evolving: A skin spot that has changed size, color, shape, etc.

Now, that you know what to look for, here is the quick 2-step process for a skin self-check. To do a self-examination, you will need a full-length mirror and a hand mirror. Examine your body overall first and then move to small areas of your body.

1) Examine Full Body in Full Length Mirror: What do you notice?

• Body front
• Body back
• Lift arms to check your sides

2) Examine Smaller Areas with a Hand Mirror: What do you notice?

• Neck & scalp with mirror
• Bend elbows to check forearms, underarms and palms
• Look closely at back and bottom with hand mirror
• Check backs of legs & feet, spaces between toes and soles of feet

How can you prevent it?

• Wear sunscreen: Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day is one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen and reapply every 90 minutes.
• Avoid the sun’s strongest hours: Between 10 am and 2 pm, the sun rays are the strongest, so schedule outdoor activities for lower-level sun exposure time or try to stay in the shade.
• Wear sun-protective clothing: Hats, sunglasses and clothing that covers your arms and legs provide more protection for your skin.
• Avoid tanning beds: The lights in tanning beds emit UV rays and can increase your risk of skin cancer. People who use tanning beds before 35 increase their risk for melanoma by 75%.
• Frequently self-check your skin: Be aware of any existing moles, freckles or bumps. Also, check for new growths and talk to your dermatologist if you see anything concerning.

To learn more about skin cancer and services at Atrium Health Navicent, visit Atrium Health Navicent Specialty Center.

RESOURCES:
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/how-to-spot-skin-cancer