Tuesday Tip!

Melanoma is the most common skin cancer in adults ages 25-29.  Melanoma will affect 1 in 52 people within their lifetime.  Melanoma is primarily caused by too much UV exposure, including sun and UV lights (tanning beds).  It is the most deadly of all the skin cancers, but if detected early, can be treated without adverse effects.  Melanoma can be lurking in places you least expect, such as your palms, foot soles, hair, scalp, eyes, intestines, and under your fingernails.

You are more at risk for skin cancer if you have the following:
1. Fair Skin
2. Family History of Skin Cancer
3. Light-Colored Eyes
4. Lots of Freckles/Moles
5. History of Blistering Sunburn (even once)
6. Heavy UV exposure (tanning or using the tanning bed)
7. Unusual Non-Cancerous Moles
8. Weak Immune System

Recently, I saw a segment on Martha Stewart Living and thought the dermatologist gave great advice on preventing skin cancer.  Several tips you can use everyday to avoid a preventable cancer include:

1. USE SUNSCREEN!  I have said this multiple times but I cannot stress it enough.  Make sure your sunscreen blocks UVA and UVB rays.
2. Take supplements.  Dr. Karen Burke recommends 1,000 mg Vitamin E, 400 IU Vitamin C, and 100 Mcg Selenium.  She also stresses using topical antioxidants to increase skin protection.
3. Avoid the sun during the hours of 11am to 3pm.
4. DO NOT USE TANNING BEDS!  In this century, their are a thousand ways to get a tan that do not put you at risk for cancer.  Spray tans, tanning lotions, bronzer, and airbrush tans are better options for beautiful skin.
5. Use SunGuard.  I thought this product was so cool!  Apparently, your average white tee has an SPF of 5.  If you wash your clothes with SunGuard, it amps your SPF to 30, blocking 96% of harmful UV rays! Genius!


To detect melanoma, just follow ABCDE! Check your moles and freckles for the following...
Asymmetry: unusual shapes, most moles are circular
Border: irregular or jagged edges
Color: multiple colors on one lesion, or colors that seem unusual such as black, blue, purple, and maroon
Diameter: bigger than a pencil eraser
Evolution or Enlargement: changing in size or thickness

If you are unsure about any of your moles, schedule a full body check with your dermatologist.  Be your own advocate.  If you feel a mole is suspicious and your dermatologist does not, ask for a biopsy or removal.  I have had moles removed simply because they were high risk for developing into skin cancer. Check yourself and your partner regularly.  I saw a suspicious mole on my girlfriend's shoulder and it tested positive for melanoma.  She has had three moles removed for melanoma or moderate to severe dysplasia (the step before melanoma) since the first mole.  These moles could have easily spread and caused a real problem, but early detection is the key!  It can happen to you, even though you are young, so be smart and stay safe!