May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Skin is the largest organ in the body. Skin cancer is the cancer you can SEE. Skin cancer is America’s most common cancer. Fortunately, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable cancers. It is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. When caught early, skin cancer is highly treatable. If you notice a spot that is different from others, or that changes, itches, or bleeds notify your health care provider.

Prevention

• Seek the shade, especially between 10 am and 4 pm.
• Don’t get sunburned.
• Avoid tanning, and never use UV tanning beds.
• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Use a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen

Skin Self-Exam Challenge

• Examine your body in a full-length mirror
  • Examine your body front and back in a full-length mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised.
• Look at your underarms, forearms, and palms
  • Bend your elbows and look carefully at your forearms, underarms, fingernails, and palms.
• Look at your legs, between toes, and soles of your feet
  • Look at the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, your toenails, and the soles of your feet.
• Use a hand mirror to examine your neck and scalp
  • Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part your hair for a closer look at your scalp.
• Use a hand mirror to check your back and buttocks
  • Finally, check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror.

ABCDE’s of Melanoma

• A is for Asymmetry
  • One half of the spot is unlike the other half.
• B is for Border
  • The spot has an irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined border.
• C is for Color
  • The spot has varying colors from one area to the next, such as shades of tan, brown or black, or areas of white, red, or blue.
• D is for Diameter
  • While melanomas are usually greater than 6 millimeters, or about the size of a pencil eraser, when diagnosed, they can be smaller.
• E is for Evolving
  • The spot looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color.

Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide – Protect yourself in Five Ways

1. Slip on a shirt
2. Slop on suncreen
3. Slap on a hat
4. Seek shade whenever you can
5. Slide on sunglasses to reduce UV exposure to your eyes