National Skin Cancer Awareness Month

The month of May is greeted every year by millions of Americans who are ready to burst out of the winter doldrums and get outside and enjoy Mother Nature’s many splendors. Often overlooked by many planning summer vacations and getting ready to honor their mothers is the fact that May is Skin Cancer Awareness month. Skin Cancer remains one of the most common forms of cancer despite the fact that it is the easiest form of cancer to treat. Almost 90% of Skin Cancer cases are related to too much exposure to the harmful rays of the sun, yet only 30% of people remember to regularly use sun protection.

Skin Cancer can afflict anyone, whether you live along the sunny shores of California or the barren tundra’s of Canada. Age can play a huge role in Skin Cancer as well as those born in the 1990s have a one in six chance of having Skin Cancer in their lifetime compared to a one in 20 chance for those born in the 1960s. The different lifestyles of younger generations are leading to their increased risk. The increasing popularity of outdoor sports, the use of tanning beds, and winter vacations to sunny beaches have all increased the amount of exposure to the sun’s harmful rays. Among those at high risk for Skin Cancer are fair skinned people with blond or red hair, outdoor workers, and those with a history of severe sunburn.

Skin Cancer is unique however in that it is easily prevented. A few simple measures can protect people from Skin Cancer. Outdoor enthusiasts in particular should limit their exposure to the sun’s rays between 10am and 3pm when they are at their strongest. Wearing hats and keeping shirts on increases the barrier between skin and the rays of the sun. Using a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or better is one of the best ways to avoid Skin Cancer. Early detection is important too; don’t ignore warning signs from the body. Check your family members over from time to time and have them do the same for you. Skin Cancer is highly treatable when caught early.