With the cold winter months behind us, outdoor activities are in full swing. But wait, sun worshipers. Did you know one in five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer in his or her lifetime? Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and of all the types of skin cancers, melanoma is the most serious. Its malignant (cancerous) cells grow within moles on the skin and can spread rapidly to other areas of the body if left untreated. According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma cases have been rising steadily for the past 30 years. It is the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 25 to 30. With scary statistics like these, it is little wonder Willis-Knighton dermatologists have embraced the American Academy of Dermatology’s national awareness effort, Melanoma Monday, on May 5. Three Shreveport-Bossier doctors – Josephine Futrell, MD, PhD, and Sarah Glorioso, MD of Ark-La-Tex Dermatology, and Sarah Baker, MD, of Dermatology Specialists at North – want our community to know the dangers of excessive sun exposure, to examine their skin regularly and to seek medical assistance if they see signs of a malignant mole.
PREVENT
The risk of developing melanoma is greater among individuals with fair skin complexions and light hair. But the biggest factor, by far, is excessive exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Before thinking a nocturnal lifestyle is your only recourse, these tips will help you enjoy the summer without sacrificing your skin: Seek shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Wear protective clothing. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen, one with at least an SPF of 30. Reapply every two hours or more frequently when sweating or swimming. And watch out for water, snow and sand. These reflective surfaces increase the risk of sunburn and long-term damage.
“Prevention is the answer. As the sun’s rays get stronger heading in to summer, all of us living in North Louisiana should take these steps to protect our skin against cancer,” Dr. Glorioso advises.
DETECT
“Know what to look for on your skin,” Dr. Baker says. “The first sign of melanoma could be a change in a mole or the appearance of a new mole. Look for changes in the size, shape, color or texture of moles and take note of any new symptom, such as bleeding, itching or crusting/scaling.”
LIVE
Melanoma Monday education saves lives –pointing out the dangers of melanoma and encouraging early detection. “The biggest point is that if melanoma is found early, it is completely curable with easy surgery,” Dr. Futrell says.
Changing or suspicious spots should be brought to medical attention right away.
