4 Steps to Take If Skin Cancer Runs in Your Family
Having a relative diagnosed with skin cancer like melanoma can naturally be concerning. Read on to learn more about how that affects your risk and the steps you can take to protect yourself.
Is There Any Way to Prevent Skin Cancer?
No one wants to be a statistic — especially not the one person out of five who will get skin cancer by the time they're 70 years old. Fortunately, there are things you can do now to prevent basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma later.
Dr. Trevan Fischer provides exceptional care for patients with a variety of cancers, including skin cancer at his private practice in Santa Monica, California. He employs state-of-the-art techniques along with cutting-edge knowledge gained through his work on the latest clinical trials at the Saint John's Cancer Institute for the best possible outcome.
Skin cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer with almost 10,000 people diagnosed each day. It occurs when cells form and rapidly grow in an abnormal way. The most common is basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Often it occurs in areas that are exposed to the sun but it can also strike places that are not impacted by ultraviolet radiation (UV).
Ways to prevent skin cancer
The good news is there are steps you can take to help reduce the chances of developing skin cancer. These include:
Avoiding sun exposure
Watch out for the sun and its harmful ultraviolet radiation not just in the summer, but also all year round. UV rays can damage skin on cloudy as well as sunny days, particularly during the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. They can also reflect off bright surfaces like water and sand.
As much as possible, stay in the shade or wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Look for specialized fabrics that have an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 30 or higher that can help block penetrating UV radiation. Don't forget a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses certified to block UVA and UVB rays.
Using sunscreen
Use sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or more daily. For longer activities outside, seek out a sunscreen that is also water-resistant. Apply it liberally (about one ounce) 30 minutes before going outside. Put more on after swimming, sweating excessively, or if two hours have passed.
NEVER use the tanning bed
Indoor tanning contains high levels of UV radiation and can cause dangerous damage to the skin. Just one session of indoor tanning before the age of 35 can increase a person's risk of melanoma by 75%.
Performing regular skin checks
The sooner an abnormality on the skin is detected and treated, the better the outcome. Examine your skin regularly and if anything is itching, bleeding, or looks different, have it checked by our team.
Whether you have noticed something unusual on your skin or have already been diagnosed with skin cancer, Dr. Fischer provides skilled and personalized care. Click to book an appointment or call the office today.
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