If you were like many Americans, you probably headed outdoors over Memorial Weekend. The most popular holiday weekend activities—boating, heading to the beach and barbecuing—could have left you with more than you bargained for if you got sunburned. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., and rates of melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, are on the rise. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and the timing couldn’t be better as we head into the sun-filled days of summer.
Staying out of the sun when its ray are strongest and wearing protective clothing (sunglasses, hats, long sleeves or clothing with SPF) can go a long way to keeping you safe in the sun, but it also may not always be practical. Choosing a safe sunscreen is a smart way to protect your skin when it’s not feasible to avoid the sun or cover up. Not all sunscreens are created equal though, and the Environmental Working Group’s 2015 Sunscreen Guide is a great resource for both sun safety tips and safe sunscreens. Don’t be misled by high SPFs, avoid sunscreens containing vitamin A, and look for both UVA and UVB protection from mineral sunscreens that don’t use nano-particles.
Knowing the signs of skin cancer can help save your life—when caught and treated early, it is highly curable. Visit your doctor or dermatologist if you notice a mole changing in size, shape or color. Be aware of the skin cancer ABCDE’s:
- Asymmetry
- Border irregularity
- Color changes
- Diameter larger than a pencil eraser
- Evolving
Visit skincancer.org for more information on how to prevent and identify skin cancer. Here’s to a fun, and sun safe, summer!
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