We all know the most common form of cancer. Or do we?
We’ll give you a hint: May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Now that you know skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, let’s learn more about skin cancer detection and prevention, especially as the weather warms up and people go outside in the sun.
Watch Your Sun Exposure
There are many risk factors you should know about when it comes to skin cancer. We’ll cover them more later in this blog post, factors that include older age.
The number one thing for you to do to lower your risk of skin cancer is reducing your exposure to ultraviolet rays. Lowering your exposure automatically lowers your risk of getting skin cancer.
Sun exposure means you are exposed to its ultraviolet rays. If you go outside into the summer sun, make sure to protect yourself and be safe by applying sunscreen. Avoiding sunburn means lowering your cancer risk.
The CDC’s Skin Cancer Risk Factors
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes the main factors that are high risks for developing skin cancer. One of the leading factors is older age, so take that as a caution to protect yourself if you’re out in the sun.
The other CDC factors are:
- A lighter natural skin color.
- Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun.
- Blue or green eyes.
- Blond or red hair.
- Certain types and a large number of moles.
- A family history of skin cancer.
- A personal history of skin cancer.
Using the A-B-C-D-Es to Diagnose Melanoma
The easiest way for you to recognize a possible skin cancer is noting a change in your skin. It might be a sore that doesn’t heal. A mole that changes is another sign. Other signs include a new growth you haven’t recognized previously.
Remember, not all skin cancers look the same. Use the A-B-C-D-E method to detect melanoma. Here’s how to use it:
A—Asymmetrical: Is the mole or spot shaped irregularly with two parts that look very different?
B—Border: Is the border irregular or jagged?
C—Color: Is the color uneven?
D—Diameter: Is the mole or spot larger than the size of a pea?
E—Evolving: Has the mole or spot changed during the last few weeks or months?
If you notice these types of changes in your skin, contact a doctor immediately. Skin cancer caught in its early stages is easily treatable.
Get To Know Auburn Hill Senior Living
At Auburn Hill Senior Living we know that choosing the right community for yourself or a loved one is a big responsibility. Touring communities and asking questions can be taxing.
Let us make the experience enjoyable for you! We invite you to schedule a visit and come out to experience the Auburn Hill difference for yourself.