Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most prevalent of all cancers. It is estimated that approximately 700,000 Americans develop skin cancer every year. The principal cause of skin cancer is overexposure to sunlight, especially when it results in sunburn and blistering. Since the sun’s ultraviolet rays are the main culprits, the most effective preventive method is sun avoidance. Limit the exposure of the skin to harmful rays by covering up and using sunscreens with at least a 15 SPF rating.

Melanoma

It is projected that melanoma, the most harmful skin cancer, develops on the skin of 32,000 Americans annually. Every year an estimated 6,800 Americans will die from melanoma. It is important to note that the death rate is at last declining, because patients are seeking help earlier. Melanoma is almost always curable in its early stages.

Men over the age of 50 are at the highest risk for melanoma, but it can affect people of any age. In fact, melanoma has been associated with severe childhood sunburns. This skin cancer usually appears as a dark brown or black mole-like growth with irregular borders and irregular color. The most frequent site for melanoma is the upper back.

Recognizing the early warning signs of malignant melanoma is important. Remember the ABCD's of melanoma when examining your moles:

• A stands for ASYMMETRY, when one half of the mole doesn't match the other half.
• B stands for BORDER, when the border or edges of the mole are blurred or irregular.
• C stands for COLORS, when the color of the mole is not consistent.
• D stands for DIAMETER, if the diameter of a mole is larger than a pencil eraser.
• E stands for Evolution, changes in size, shape or color.

If a mole displays any of these signs, it should be checked immediately by your dermatologist.