4/26/2024
•
Posted by Fidelis Care
in
Health and Wellness,
Member News
In observance of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Fidelis Care is sharing sun safety tips. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Over 95% of skin cancers can be successfully treated if they are found early.
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Each year in New York State, more than 4,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma and nearly 500 New Yorkers die from it. Anyone can develop melanoma. It can appear anywhere on the body. It may be a new spot or a change in a mole or freckle. Melanoma can be caused by getting too much ultraviolet (UV) light. This can be from the sun or from sources such as indoor tanning. It is important to find and treat melanoma early, so it does not spread to other parts of the body.
To protect your skin, follow these tips when going outside:
• Stay in the shade.
• Wear clothes that cover skin.
• Wear a wide-brimmed sun hat.
• Wear sunglasses.
• Wear sunscreen that has at least SPF 15.
Regular skin self-exams are a good way to find skin cancer and melanoma. Early detection gives people the best chance for successful treatment. Follow these instructions from the American Academy of Dermatology:
• Look at the front, back, and sides of your body in a mirror.
• Bend elbows and look carefully at forearms, underarms, and palms.
• Look at the backs of your legs and feet, in between your toes, and the soles of your feet.
• Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a mirror.
• Check your back with a hand mirror.
If you have any questions or concerns after a self-exam, follow up with your primary care provider (PCP).
Sources
https://www.aad.org/media/stats-skin-cancer#:~:text=Skin%20cancer%20is%20the%20most%20common%20cancer%20in%20the%20United%20States.&text=Current%20estimates%20are%20that%20one,skin%20cancer%20in%20their%20lifetime
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/melanoma#where-to-get-help
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/cancer/skin/#:~:text=More%20than%204%2C000%20NYS%20residents,New%20Yorkers%20die%20from%20melanoma