Every year, nearly 5 million people in the U.S. are treated for skin cancer. As a result, it is important to bring awareness to skin cancer and to become better educated on it. Here’s some information on what skin cancer is, strategies for prevention, and early signs/symptoms.
What is skin cancer? Skin cancer is an overgrowth of cells in your skin tissue. Skin cancer can spread to nearby tissue or other areas in your body.
Strategies for prevention. Fortunately, most skin cancer that is identified early is cured. However, preventing it should be the first thing you do, not solving it. Strategies to prevent skin cancer include:
– staying in the shade
– wearing clothing or headwear that covers your skin
– wearing sunglasses that wrap around and block both UVA and UVB rays
– wearing sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher
Also, self-examine your skin. Use a mirror to look around for new lumps, bumps, or sores.
Early signs/symptoms. Identifying skin cancer can be difficult. Some symptoms of skin cancer to look out for include:
– new growths of spots or bumps
– existing growths getting larger
– bleeding sores that don’t heal after a few weeks
– rough or scaly red patches
– existing moles that are changing in size, shape, or color
Skin cancer can be scary. However, being aware of what it is, how to prevent it, and what to look for can help keep you safe and healthy.
