Health Promotion & Chronic Disease Prevention
443-523-1760

Skin Protection		Whales Tales - A Water Safety Program
Sun Safety & Melanoma

Sun Safety and Melanoma		The ABCD: A: Asymmetry - One half does not look the same as the other half B: Border - Irregular, scalloped, not defined C: Color - Different colors in the same mole D: Diameter - Larger than a pencil eraser (6 mm)
Skin Cancer is on the rise, especially on the Eastern Shore of MD. No one is immune to skin cancer and it is the most common form of cancer. It is also the most preventable! There are several forms of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and malignant melanoma (MM). The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change in the skin such as a new growth or lump, persistent itching or scaling of an area of the skin, a sore that does not heal or a change in a mole which lasts longer than two to three weeks. These signs and symptoms should be checked by a medical professional. Skin cancer is typically painless in its early stages.
Many people with darker skin think that they do not need to protect their skin from the sun. In fact, A frican Americans have less risk of developing skin cancer. That is because melanin in darker skin offers more protection against the harmful rays of the sun than for fair skinned people; however when skin cancer does develop, it is often deadlier in darker skinned individuals. This is because they tend not to notice it till later. Also the mortality rate is higher due to how lethal melanoma is and to later diagnosis.
Melanoma is the least common form of skin cancer, but it is the deadliest. Melanoma grows much faster than the other forms. It is important to be able to recognize changes that suggest melanoma. The key is to look in the mirror and know what your skin normally looks like. This is so you can notice changes in moles or other discolorations. Often it starts out looking like a freckle (atypical nevi) and changes over a period of time. Skin cancer, even melanoma, is curable if caught early.
LOOK for danger signs in moles or colored spots and consult a medical doctor, nurse practitioner or a skin specialist immediately if any of the "ABCD" signs occur: The most important thing about ABCD is to know what is normal for you, recognizing CHANGES, and seeing your physician.
		Here’s how to protect yourself and your family: Remember sun protection is an all year safety tip.
		Limit sun exposure during peak hours (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) especially during the summer A cloudy day is not protection against the sun   Wear sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and reapply it often, especially when swimming, sweating, or boating   Get in the shade whenever possible, using items such as trees, buildings, tents, and umbrellas to block the sun but remember this does not take the place of sunscreen   Wear light-weight pants and shirts with long sleeves   Wear UV (ultraviolet) protected sunglasses to protect the eyes and the delicate skin around the eyes. Wearing sunglasses all year may help protect against cataracts as well   Wear a wide brimmed hat Keep in mind that tanning is skin damage. Avoid all tanning beds!
Skin cancer may develop on any area of the body especially areas exposed to sunlight in fair skinned persons. However, for people with darker skin you need to pay particular attention to: Hands (palms, nail beds) Melanoma that manifests itself within the nail bed accounts for 30 to 40 percent of all skin cancer cases in people with darker skin color!
Artwork by Katrina Matthews

 

For more information, brochures on risk factors for skin cancer, screening guidelines, and importance of early detection call the Somerset County Health Department at 443-523-1760.