May is Skin Cancer awareness month. Raising awareness about protecting yourself from the sun is so important.
Skin Cancer is the most common cancer in the US and worldwide. Over 5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States. 2 people die of skin cancer every hour and at least 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.
These are NOT opinions. These are facts. Skin Cancer is a very real thing. Your esthetician doesn't just tell you to wear your sunscreen for fun - It can save your life!
Melanoma is a type of Skin Cancer that develops when melanocytes (the cells that give the skin its tan or brown color) start to grow out of control. Melanoma presents in many different shapes, sizes and colors.
The first five letters of the alphabet are a guide to help you recognize the warning signs of melanoma.
“A” for asymmetry- 2 halves of the lesion do not match.
“B” for border- The edges of an early melanoma are typically uneven, crusty or notched.
“C” for color- Healthy moles are uniform in color. If your mood is white and/is blue, you should consult a dermatologist.
“D” for diameter- Melanoma is usually larger in diameter than a pencil eraser or smaller.
“E” for evolving- When a mole changes in size, shape and color, or begins to bleed or scab- you should consult a dermatologist right away.
Some of the most effective ways to care for yourself and your skin is protect + prevent!
People who wear sunscreen with at least SPF 15 can lower melanoma risk by 50 percent than those who do not use sunscreen daily.
Please be smart and protect yourself by wearing daily sunscreen, getting yearly mole checks at your local dermatologist and say no to indoor tanning!
Information from skincancer.org