Over 9,500 people are diagnosed with some form of skin cancer every day in the United States. Every year, the number of new skin cancer cases exceeds the number of all other cancer cases combined. Every hour, more than two Americans die of the disease.
You have a one in five chance of getting skin cancer by the age of 70. But it’s not all bad news: Skin cancer is prevalent, but it’s also highly preventable.
In recognition of Skin Cancer Awareness Month this May, Dr. Patrick Keehan and our team at Keehan Dermatology offer a complete guide to sun safety and skin protection habits that go beyond sunscreen use to help you reduce your skin cancer risk today — and as you get older.
Experts estimate that 86-90% of skin cancers — or a vast majority of non-melanomas and melanomas alike — are caused by damage induced by ultraviolet (UV) light, either from sun exposure, tanning bed use, or both.
When exposed to UV light, your skin ramps up its production of melanin, the cells that function to color your skin and protect it from UV damage. This initial “tanning” is both a sign of early skin damage and your skin’s attempt to protect itself from further damage.
There’s really no such thing as a healthy suntan. Tanning begins when skin cells sense they’re being damaged, and each time your skin tone darkens — even mildly — following UV exposure, your skin cancer risk increases.
Sometimes, UV-induced damage triggers a genetic mutation in skin cell DNA. When damaged DNA prompts errors in the cell dividing and copying process that drives ongoing skin renewal, these mutation-fueled errors can give rise to an abnormal, uncontrolled growth or lesion called skin cancer.
Malignant (cancerous) skin growths are categorized by the type of skin cells they arise from. Non-melanomas, which include basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), tend to grow slowly; melanomas are fast-growing and invasive.
UV radiation is a proven carcinogen. When you apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to exposed skin areas before you head outside each day, the product effectively blocks or absorbs this light and deflects it away from your skin cells.
Daily sunscreen wear is a top skin cancer prevention strategy because it works. But it’s not the only skin cancer prevention habit you should adopt to reduce your skin cancer risk. We also recommend that you:
Do your best to avoid direct sunlight, especially during peak hours — from 10 am to 4 pm — when UV radiation is strongest. If you must be outdoors, minimize your sun exposure by seeking shade whenever possible, and planning your activities for earlier or later in the day when UV radiation is less potent.
Be aware that light or shiny surfaces like water, sand, and snow can reflect UV rays, increasing your exposure. In such circumstances, sunscreen and other sun protection measures become all the more important.
You’re already using sunscreen, and you even know that you should reapply it every two hours when you’re outdoors — especially after swimming or sweating. But you can up your sun safety game by wearing protective clothing, too.
You can cover and protect more skin when you’re outdoors by wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses. If you’re outside often, wearing sun-protective clothing made with an SPF of 50 or higher supports improved skin protection.
Tanning beds are not a safe way to tan. Not only do they emit the same harmful UV rays as the sun, but they emit this damaging light in concentrations that are 10-15 times greater than what the sun emits at its peak intensity each day.
Any history of tanning bed use, even a very brief one, significantly increases your skin cancer risk. In fact, more people develop skin cancer because of tanning bed use than develop lung cancer because of smoking.
Monitor your skin regularly, performing monthly head-to-toe self-exams to look for any new moles, changes in existing moles, dark spots or patches of discoloration, or sores that won’t heal. You should also inspect your nail beds for unusual dark spots or streaks.
If you notice any new or suspicious spots on your skin — or if anything is changing, itching, or bleeding — schedule a visit with our team for a comprehensive skin exam.
Now’s the perfect time to schedule a skin exam at Keehan Dermatology. Call or click online to book your visit today.
