5/7/2025
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Posted by University of Rochester Medicine Wilmot Cancer Institute
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Each year, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer than with any other type of cancer. There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma. They all require medical attention, but melanoma is the most serious as it is most likely to spread to other parts of the body.
Everyone is at risk. People of all complexions should take basic steps to reduce their chances of developing skin cancer. Those who have fair skin or a family history of skin cancer may be at higher risk for the disease.
These tips may help reduce your risk of skin cancer or catch it in its earlier stages, when it tends to be easier to treat:
Protect your skin outside. Wear a broad-spectrum, water-resistant or waterproof sunscreen with at least 30 SPF. It should be reapplied at least every two hours, or more frequently if you are in and out of the water. Clothing, hats, or umbrellas can also help protect your skin from the sun. Avoiding the sun when it is hottest – between the hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – can also reduce your sun exposure and, therefore, your skin cancer risk.
Avoid tanning beds. There is a myth that says getting a “base tan” before a vacation can help avoid burns, but that is not true. A tan is simply evidence of damage to your skin, and it builds up over your lifetime. It ages your skin faster. The more tanning you do, the higher your chances are of having skin cancer in the future. Skip the tanning bed and use sunscreen when outdoors in the sun – even in colder months!
Check your skin regularly. Doing a monthly check of your skin is a good idea. Look for any moles you have and see if they have changed or look irregular. When deciding whether a mole is irregular, remember your ABCs:
- Asymmetry: Does it lack balance in its shape or size?
- Border irregularity: Are its edges jagged?
- Color changes: Has the shade of it changed or does it bleed?
- Diameter growth: Is it bigger?
- Evolution: Has it changed in any other way?
If your answer to any of these questions is maybe or yes, see your primary care provider or a dermatologist. Even if you don’t have a suspicious mole, getting an annual skin check is a good idea, especially if you have a family history of skin cancer or other risk factors.
Wilmot Cancer Institute, part of the University of Rochester, is dedicated to helping reduce the impact of cancer in our 27-county region. This is done through education and community outreach programs, including working with Fidelis Care at the Rochester Public Market monthly to connect individuals with cancer screenings and help educate the community on how food can lower the risk of some cancers. Next time you come out to the market, be sure to wear your sunscreen!