Playing It Safe in the Sun
Practical Tips for Skin Cancer Prevention

With the warm, sun-filled days of summer upon us, it’s important to take a few simple precautions to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. Each year, more than 50,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, and the incidence has more than doubled in the last three decades, according to the National Cancer Institute.

“Melanoma represents only 5 percent of all skin cancer types,” says Todd Holmes, M.D., dermatologist at Fletcher Allen Health Care and UVM assistant professor of medicine, “but it accounts for 75 percent of skin cancer-related deaths due to its increased ability to spread to other parts of the body. In the U.S., melanoma results in more than 8,400 deaths a year which is almost 1 American every hour.” Malignant melanoma is a form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the tanning pigment melanin). It may begin in a mole but also commonly presents in previously normal appearing skin. It can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.

In its early stages, when it can be treated easily, melanoma is not life-threatening. But in later stages, melanoma spreads to other parts of the body and treatment becomes more difficult. Knowing how to identify changes in moles or other areas on your skin is important in reducing your cancer risk.

What to Watch For

Fortunately, when found early, most skin cancers can be treated successfully. Regular skin self-examination is the best way to help detect skin cancer. Check yourself from head to toe—literally! By checking your skin once a month, you’ll become familiar with what’s normal for you and better able to identify something that looks unusual. Talk with your primary care physician if you have any concerns.

The “Ugly Duckling" Warning Sign

When inspecting moles, change is the most important feature to watch for. Look for moles that simply appear or feel different — like an “ugly duckling” — or are changing compared to the rest of the moles surrounding it.

Remember Your ABCD’s

While many moles, growths and brown or cherry spots on the skin are harmless, others may not be. Below are some other features to watch for:

Asymmetry

Malignant melanoma is often asymmetrical, meaning, a line drawn down through the middle will not create matching halves. Common moles are round and symmetrical.

Border

The borders of early melanomas are often uneven with scalloped or notched edges. Common moles have smooth, even borders.

Color

Different shades of brown or black are often the first sign of a malignant melanoma. Common moles usually have a single shade of brown.

Diameter

Common moles are usually less than ¼ inch in diameter, the size of a pencil eraser. Early melanomas tend to be larger than ¼ inch.

Know Your Risk

It’s important to understand the many risk factors that can affect the possibility of developing melanoma:

Having a fair complexion (blond or red hair, fair skin, freckles, blue eyes)
Being Caucasian or older than 20 years of age
Long-term exposure to the sun or ultraviolet light, such as tanning beds
Severe, blistering sunburns
Having many (more than 50) common moles
Having a family history of unusual moles
Having a family or personal history of melanoma or other skin cancer

Your Best Defense

Safeguarding against skin cancer, of course, means protection yourself from sunlight and ultraviolet light. Doctors recommend the following tips to help stay safe in the sun:

Seek the Shade: Avoid or limit exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Cover Up: If you must be outside during the strongest sun hours, protect yourself with long sleeves, long pants and a wide-brimmed hat.
Slather on Sunscreen: Protect your skin by generously applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher when outdoors. Sunscreens that provide “broad spectrum coverage” effectively reflect, absorb or scatter both ultraviolet A and B radiation.
Wear sunglasses: Protect your eyes from sun damage with U/V-absorbing lenses. Look for an “ANSI-approved” label, which guarantees 99% UV ray blockage.
Avoid Tanning Beds: Tanning beds and sun lamps, which give off ultraviolet-A (UVA) radiation, may increase skin cancer risk.