Skin Cancer Myths & Facts Understanding Skin Cancer · skin cancer. When melanoma is detected...
Transcript of Skin Cancer Myths & Facts Understanding Skin Cancer · skin cancer. When melanoma is detected...
Understanding Skin Cancer Excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or synthetic UV radiation from indoor tanning devices, are the major contributors of skin cancer. All skin cancers are managed best when detected early.
What to Look for: Any skin cancer can appear suddenly as a new spot or develop slowly in or near an existing spot. In fair complected men, melanomas are most often found between the shoulders and hips, or the head and neck area. In fair complected women, melanomas most often develop on the lower legs as well as between the shoulders and hips. Any change in a spot needs the immediate attention of a Dermatologist.
To see what melanoma looks like and to read more information about this deadly disease, visit:
www.melanomafoundation.com
2751 S. Dixie Highway - Suite 2AWest Palm Beach, Florida 33405
561-655-9655www.melanomafoundation.com
Myth — It is impossible to get skin cancer in an area of the body that has never been exposed to the sun.
Fact — Sun exposure is a risk factor for developing skin cancer, these cancers can develop anywhere on the body regardless of direct sun exposure. The reasons why cancers develop are very complex and not entirely clear, involving both genetic and environmental factors. We do know that one or more sunburns doubles the risk for skin cancer.
Myth — If I have a growth or mole that has been there “forever,” it can’t turn into a skin cancer.
Fact — Some melanomas develop as a new lesion, however many melanomas arise in preexisting moles that may be very familiar. It is important for you to become familiar with the growths on your body so that you are capable of recognizing any changes. Know the ABCDEs of melanoma.
Myth — Using sunscreen ensures I have 100% protection from the sun’s rays.
Fact — Most people do not apply enough sunscreen to truly protect their skin for the amount of time they spend outdoors. One ounce of sunscreen may protect you for a maximum of 1.5-2 hours, depending on your skin type and activity level. Always remember to reapply your sun screen frequently and seek shade when possible.
Myth — I would know if I have a skin cancer on my body, wouldn’t I?
Fact — Many people have no idea they have skin cancer. When melanoma is detected early, it is often 100% curable! Late detected melanomas are very often fatal, making them “silent killers.”
Skin Cancer Myths & FactsMillions of Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer annually and over 80,000 diagnoses
will be melanoma, skin cancer’s deadliest form.
American Cancer Society’s 2013 Facts & Figures
Be Vigilant, Watch Your Spots,Don’t Wait To See a Dermatologist!
Medical Reviewers:Robert S. Kirsner, M.D., PhD
John P. Kinney, M.D.Peggy O. Hunter, M.D.Manju E. George, M.D.
About Vitamin D
A Vitamin D deficiency is not an excuse to spend large amounts of time in the sun without the use of sunscreen.
Often depicted in the media, there is no doubt that Vitamin D is an essential nutrient. The fact is, most fair complected individuals can acquire sufficient Vitamin D through limited sun exposure.
As opposed to increasing sun exposure, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that adequate amounts of Vitamin D should be obtained from a healthy diet (i.e. dairy products, fortified cereals and fish) and/or Vitamin D supplements.
MELANOMAKILLS ONE PERSONEVERY 50 MINUTES!
Be Sun Safe
Learn to Protect Y
ourself
and Detect S
kin Cancer.
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Asy
mm
etry
: Whe
n ha
lf of
the
mol
e or
lesi
on d
oes
not
mat
ch t
he o
ther
.B
orde
rs: M
elan
omas
oft
en h
ave
blur
red,
not
ched
, rag
ged
or u
neve
n ed
ges.
Col
ors:
Hea
lthy
mol
es a
re u
sual
ly a
sin
gle
shad
e or
col
or.
Dia
met
er: M
oles
tha
t gr
ow la
rger
tha
n a
penc
il er
aser
are
a c
ause
for c
once
rn.
Evol
ving
: Cha
ngin
g in
any
way
: siz
e, c
olor
, tex
ture
, sen
sati
on.
Pre
vent
ion
and
Earl
y D
etec
tion
of S
kin
Can
cer
Seek
, Slip
, Sla
p, S
lop,
Sty
le a
nd S
tay
Six
Way
s to
Pro
tect
You
rsel
f fro
m S
kin
Canc
er1
.See
k Sh
ade
— A
void
ing
sun
expo
sure
, esp
ecia
lly d
urin
g th
eho
urs
of 1
0am
-4pm
, whe
n th
e su
n’s
rays
are
the
str
onge
st.
2.S
lip o
n Su
n P
rote
ctiv
e C
loth
ing
— K
eep
cove
red
up w
hile
in t
he s
un w
hene
ver p
ossi
ble.
3.Sl
ap o
n a
Hat
— A
hat
wit
h a
wid
e br
im w
ill n
ot o
nly
shad
e yo
urfa
ce a
nd n
eck
from
the
sun
’s h
arm
ful r
ays,
but
will
kee
p th
e ra
ys fr
om p
enet
rati
ng y
our h
air a
nd c
ausi
ng h
arm
to
your
sca
lp.
4.S
lop
on S
un S
cree
n —
App
ly a
bro
ad-s
pect
rum
,w
ater
-resi
stan
t su
nscr
een
and
prot
ecti
ve li
p ba
lm. C
hoos
e a
suns
cree
n w
ith
an S
PF o
f 30
or h
ighe
r. B
e su
re to
app
ly it
20
min
utes
bef
ore
you
are
goin
g to
be
in t
he s
un a
nd re
appl
y it
at
leas
t ev
ery
two
hour
s.
5.S
tyle
wit
h a
Pair
of S
hade
s —
You
r eye
s ar
e ju
st a
ssu
scep
tibl
e to
the
dam
agin
g ef
fect
s of
UV
(ult
ravi
olet
) ray
s as
the
rest
of y
our b
ody.
Mak
e su
re y
our s
ungl
asse
s bl
ock
both
UVA
and
UVB
rays
.
Nor
mal
Abn
orm
al
Asy
mm
etry
Bor
ders
Col
orD
iam
eter
Rec
ogni
ze t
he A
,B,C
,D,E
s of
Ski
n C
ance
rB
oth
prof
essi
onal
ski
n ex
ams
and
skin
se
lf-ex
amin
atio
ns a
re u
sefu
l in
the
earl
y de
tect
ion
of s
kin
canc
er.
Any
cha
nge
in a
mol
e re
quir
es t
he
atte
ntio
n of
a D
erm
atol
ogis
t.
Reg
ular
vis
its
to a
Der
mat
olog
ist
can
be li
fe-s
avin
g, e
spec
ially
for t
hose
who
ar
e hi
gher
at
risk
.
ww
w.m
elan
omaf
ound
atio
n.co
m
6.St
ay o
ut o
f tan
ning
bed
s —
The
re is
a 7
5% in
crea
se o
fde
velo
ping
mel
anom
a, a
nd n
on-m
elan
oma
canc
er,
for t
hose
who
hav
e be
en e
xpos
ed to
UV
radi
atio
n fr
om
indo
or t
anni
ng.
Evol
ving
C M Y CM
MY
CY
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sunPreventBroch.FINAL.pdf 2 10/16/14 12:02 PM