Enjoy the Sun Safely: Melanoma Monday

Today is what has been termed as Melanoma Monday.

May is the month that the temperatures begin to rise and people start to head outdoors in order to enjoy the break from the winter. Not only is May known for warmer days, it is also Melanoma Prevention Month. The first Monday in May is considered Melanoma Monday.

This day and month of awareness has been brought about in order to provide knowledge and awareness about the deadliest form of skin cancer: melanoma.

Dr. William James, who was recently named president of AAD, said of the day, “The message is we all need to protect ourselves from the sun, we need to protect ourselves to try and prevent skin cancer.” He went on to advise people to “cover up, seek shade, and use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater.”

The best tool for fighting skin cancer is prevention. Doctors advise people to schedule outdoor activities later in the day. If activities are scheduled during hours when the sun is the most intense, doctors advise people to use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. They also advise utilizing Mother Nature’s natural protection: the shade. Do not to forget to cover up as best you can with clothing containing SPF, if possible. Most importantly, have anything that appears abnormal checked by a physician.

In celebration of Melanoma Prevention Month, free skin cancer screenings will be offered all month long. For more information on where to go to obtain a free screening, go to www.melanomamonday.org.