This time of year means more time enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather. But the American Academy of Dermatology wants to make sure you are doing that safely. That is the inspiration behind Melanoma Monday, kicking off Skin Cancer Awareness Month by focusing on the deadliest form of skin cancer.
According to AAD, one in five Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime. More than 8,500 people in the United States are diagnosed every single day, and one person dies from melanoma every hour.
This year’s Melanoma Monday campaign, "Looking Good in 2016," highlights the fact that men older than 50 have the highest risk of getting the disease. AAD released the PSA below, showing a man dancing and posing in the bathroom mirror, utilizing humor to encourage men – and all of us – to check our skin for signs of cancer.
Dermatologists recommend performing regular self-exams and looking for the following:
- A is for Asymmetry: One half doesn’t match the other.
- B is for Border irregularity: The edges are ragged, notched or blurred.
- C is for Color that varies from one area to another.
- D is for Diameter: Melanomas are usually greater than 6 millimeters (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, but they can be smaller.
- E is for Evolving: Look for a mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color.
"You want to look for a mole that has a funny border, doesn't look uniform in color or shape or size, and anything that's new or has changed recently,” said Dr. Melissa Piliang, a dermatologist with Cleveland Clinic.
Fortunately, melanoma is highly treatable. If caught early, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent.
In order to protect yourself, dermatologists say you should try to stay in the shade, wear protective clothing and always use broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater, which should be reapplied every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
If you want to get in on this conversation, use #lookinggoodin2016 on Facebook and Twitter.
For more information, visit SpotSkinCancer.org.
A directory of free skin cancer screenings in your area can be found here.
