The dreadful “don’t forget to put on sunscreen” statement we were told as kids by our parents wasn’t just to annoy us. The fact is, skin cancer is real and everyone is at risk. Nearly 20 Americans die from melanoma every day and in 2024 approximately 5.4 million people were diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer. Now in our wise ages, we must take precautions to protect ourselves and give our parents some slack.
Skin cancer isn’t just caused by the sun, but it is the primary cause. Other causes include UV radiation from tanning beds, genetics, increasing age, and a weakened immune system. The most common forms of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These are non-melanoma skin cancers and if left untreated, can lead to skin disfigurement. When caught early, is highly treatable.
The more uncommon, but most deadly form of skin cancer is melanoma. Melanoma can suddenly appear without warning or develop from or near an existing mole. It is essential to seek medical advice if you spot anything changing, itching, or bleeding on your skin. New, rapidly growing moles, or moles that itch, bleed, or change in color are often early warning signs of melanoma. If detected early, melanoma is treatable however, if untreated melanoma can spread to lymph nodes and most internal organs.
You should pay attention to your skin and do regular checks. Being proactive can mean the difference between treating a skin bump or letting it spread internally and have severe effects. To do self-screening, follow the ABCDEFs of melanoma:
