Melanoma Monday is recognized as the first Monday in May. The day is put aside to raise awareness about skin cancer by the American Academy of Dermatology.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer, and the most deadly.
While skin cancer is not preventable, there are actions one can take in order to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. A large contributing factor of melanoma is the sun's UV rays.
Facts about Melanoma:
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Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
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Melanoma accounts for 5% of all skin cancers and 71% of all skin cancer deaths. It is estimated that one in every 50 Americans is diagnosed with melanoma.
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Melanoma is growing at an epidemic rate with an estimated 3% increase in cases annually.
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Caucasians and men older than 50 have a higher risk of developing melanoma than the general population.
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The incidence in men ages 80 and older is three times higher than women of the same age.
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Melanoma is the second most common form of cancer in females age 15-29.
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When melanoma is detected at an early stage, surgical removal cures the disease in most cases.
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The most important warning sign for skin cancer is a spot on the skin that is changing in size, shape, or color.
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Patient or family-discovered melanoma accounts for more than half of all melanoma diagnoses. Check yourself!
Prevention:
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Protect your skin.
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Avoid sunburns.
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Limit sun exposure, especially between the hours of 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. when the sun is the strongest.
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Wear protective clothing when exposed to sunlight.
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Use at least a SPF 30 sunscreen – applying 30 minutes before going out and 1-2 hours after.
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Look for a sunscreen that protects against both types of ultraviolet radiation in the sun’s rays-UVA and UVB.
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Use a higher SPF when you are at higher elevations.
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Avoid sun tanning and tanning salons. Studies suggest that your risk of melanoma increases by 75% if you start using artificial tanning before you are 30 years old.
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Examine your skin regularly, and have your doctor check your skin during all other health exams.
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Use sunscreen as a part of your daily moisturizing ritual.