Prayer Requests
Patient Log-in
866-412-6503
  • OUR DESIGN
    • Our Design for Care
    • Transformational Relationships
    • Whole-Person Care
    • Coordinated Services
    • Access to Care
  • CARE SERVICES
    • Our Care Services
    • Primary Care Clinics
    • Well+Being Assessments
    • Care Navigation
    • Health & Nutritional Coaching
    • Executive Exams
    • Concierge Care
  • PATIENT RESOURCES
    • Patient Portals
    • Health Education
    • FAQs
    • HIPAA Compliance
  • CAREERS
  • ABOUT
    • About HBD
    • Mission & Vision
    • Our Story
    • Leadership
    • Prayer Requests
    • Contact


Skin Cancer Prevention

Men's Health, Prevention, Women's Health


Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. More than 5 million cases are diagnosed annually! So, what is skin cancer? Skin cancer occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, most often on skin that is exposed to the sun. However, skin cancer can occur on areas of the skin not usually exposed to sunlight.

There are three major types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Both basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas typically appear on sun-exposed areas of the body (face, neck, ears, and hands), while melanomas can develop anywhere on the body (on normal skin or existing moles).

Let’s explore at what you might see for each type.


Basal Cell Carcinomas

- Pearly or waxy bumps
- Flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesions
- Bleeding or scabbing sores that heal and return

Squamous Cell Carcinomas

- Firm, red nodules
- Flat lesions with scaly, crusted surfaces


Melanomas

- Large, brownish spots with darker speckles
- Moles that change in color, size or feel or that bleed
- Small lesions with irregular borders and parts that are red, pink, white, blue, or blue/black
- Painful lesions that itch or burn
- Dark lesions on palms of hands, soles of feet, fingertips, toes, or on the mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, vagina, or anus




Risk factors

Certain people are more at risk of developing skin cancer than others. Read below for a list of risk factors to consider.

Fair skin

Naturally blond or red hair, light-colored eyes, freckle or sunburn easily

Sunburn history

History of one or more blistering sunburns as a child or teen increases risk as an adult; Sunburns in adulthood

Excessive sun exposure

Includes exposure to tanning lamps/beds

Sunny or high-altitude climates where sunlight and radiation exposure are strongest

Number of existing moles

Having many moles increases risk of developing cancerous changes

Family or personal history of skin cancer

Weakened immune system

(e.g., due to HIV/AIDS or immunosuppressant drugs following organ transplant)

Exposure to radiation

(e.g., for skin conditions such as eczema and acne)




Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent skin cancer.

  • Avoid intentional tanning and tanning beds, which can cause skin cancer and wrinkling
  • Seek shade, especially when the sun’s rays are strongest (between 10 AM and 4 PM)
  • Wear protective clothing (long-sleeved shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses)
  • Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand as these surfaces reflect damaging sun rays and increase the risk of sunburn
  • Get Vitamin D safely through a healthy diet and/or a vitamin supplement
  • Apply sunscreen generously 15 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every 2 hours
  • Use broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ for protection from ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation

Early detection of melanomas is particularly important because this type of skin cancer can be deadly if left untreated. Pay attention to new or changing spots, and have such spots evaluated quickly. Also take time to carefully examine your entire skin surface (scalp to sole) at least once a month. Melanomas are easiest to cure before they become dangerous, disfiguring, or deadly.


Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any changes in your skin that worry you.



Sources:

  • https://www.mayoclinic.org
  • https://www.skincancer.org
  • https://www.skincancerprevention.org
  • https://www.cancercenter.com
  • https://www.cdc.gov

You Might Also Like:

Sun & Heat Safety

SORT BY TOPIC

  • Chronic Disease
  • Diabetes
  • Men’s Health
  • Nutrition
  • Prevention
  • Safety
  • Women’s Health

RECENT CONTENT

Post thumb
Alcohol and Your Heart
15 Mar 2023
Post thumb
For Parents: Bicycle, Inline Skating, Skateboard, and Scooter Safety
15 Feb 2023
Post thumb
Carrying More Weight Longer Increases Colorectal Cancer Risk
15 Feb 2023

SEARCH

Our Design

Care Services

Access to Care

Contact

Who We Are

Leadership

Mission & Vision

Careers

Patient Portal

Health Education

HIPAA Compliance

Physician Departures

At Health by Design, we define true Well+Being™ as a healthy body, sound mind, and hope-filled spirit that inspires patients to live more productive and rewarding lives.
Copyright © 2019 Health by Design. All rights reserved.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect data via analytics are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on the website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
X
X