The beach is all about soaking up sun but don’t forget the sunscreen and umbrella
Each spring when May rolls around, everyone is ready to stretch out on the lounge chair by the pool but that has its drawbacks in the form of sun cancer, so early in the month is “Melanoma Monday” to raise awareness.
Melanoma is the most invasive skin cancer and can be fatal. It can start as an innocent looking mole or just normal skin with little signs that can become life threatening in just six weeks. To kick off the sunny season, MedStar Health is actively spreading the word about Melanoma Monday, and recommends seeing a dermatologist every year for a skin check.
Sunscreen, hats and shirts are the best protection they said.
The whole month of May has been dubbed "skin cancer awareness month," and the American Academy of Dermatology Association notes that every day, about 9,500 people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer. But there are precautions to take, and that includes protecting skin from the sun and avoiding tanning beds. When using sun screen lotion, go for 30 SPF or higher, they said.
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer but if caught early, melanoma is highly treatable, AAD said. They point out the ABCDE's of skin cancer which hones down the self-examinations to pinpoint causes and places that skin cancer might be. "Early detection is the key," said Darrell Rigel, MD. The doctor who invented the ABCDE's of melanoma:
A for “asymmetry,” meaning one half of the spot is unlike the other half.
B is for “border,” where the spot has an irregular border.
C is for “color,” the spot has varying colors.
D is for “diameter” of the spot which is usually greater than six mm, or the size of a pencil eraser.
E is for “evolving,” and this is when the spot changes in size, shape or color.
Treating Melanoma starts with a self-exam, and this includes a full-length mirror and hand mirror to check all the spots. Following it up with a dermatologist visit is always a good idea.