May Is Melanoma Awareness Month

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:14:15 +0000

Even though the dangers of developing melanoma has been widely reported, a recent study shows that melanoma cases continue to rise in young people between the ages of 18-39. In fact, this deadliest form of skin cancer rose an astonishing 800% among young women and 400% in young men. There may be a reason why there is this discrepancy between the sexes. Young women tend to use indoor tanning booths more than men. UV ray emitted by tanning beds are cancer causing and tanners are 74% more likely to develop melanoma than those who never tan indoors. If a tanning bed is used as little as four times a year the risk of developing melanoma is 11% and you are 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma. The study showed that over one’s lifetime melanoma is 1.5 times greater in males than females.

Below are the “ABCDE” of melanoma detection

Asymmetrical skin lesions

Border of the lesion is irregular

Color: lesion usually has multiple colors

Diameter: lesions are greater than 6mm are more suspicious

.Enlarging or evolving lesions

Suggested sun protection guidelines–

.Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

.Seek shade

.Sunscreen SPF 15 or higher

.Use hats and protective clothing

.Self-exams for changing moles

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Skin Cancer Archives - Stephen Delia MD

May Is Melanoma Awareness Month